Ten Times Waverly Earp was Definitely NOT on a Date with Nicole Haught

by Kimberly21570

This WayHaught story begins with their conversation in the patrol car scene, and follows Waverly and Nicole's journey back in time as they reflect upon the moments they've shared together—the moments that led to Waverly's self-discovery, and ultimately drew her into Nicole's arms. Some moments are light and fun, and others, dark and heavy, because it is the coalescence of those sha

12. Chapter 12—Graphene and Glass

Title: The Ten Times Waverly Earp was Definitely NOT on a Date with Nicole Haught

Author / Date of Inception: Kimberly21570 / May 2016

Fandom: Wynonna Earp

Pairing: Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught—WayHaught

Synopsis: This WayHaught story follows Waverly and Nicole's journey back in time as they reflect upon the moments they've shared together—the moments that led to Waverly's self-discovery, and ultimately drew her into Nicole's arms. Some moments are light and fun, and others, dark and heavy, because it is the coalescence of those shared experiences that leads us to fall in love.

Chapter Summary: Chapter 12 brings us to the day the homestead was attacked by assassins, and Waverly was caught in the crossfire, and takes us all the way through the end of Season One, and a bit beyond. It's an extremely long one—about 67 pages total this time, so once again, grab a drink and a snack, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Rating: Chapter 12 is rated NC-17 for overt sexual content. It is most definitely NSFW, and I wouldn't allow my 16-year-old niece anywhere near it!

Disclaimer: The characters of Waverly, Wynonna, Willa, and Ward Earp, Nicole Haught, John Henry "Doc" Holliday, Deputy Marshal Xavier Dolls, Gus McCready, Sheriff Randy Nedley, Bobo Del Rey, Agent Lucado, and washed-up rodeo clown Champ Hardy, as well as the Shorty's Saloon, the Black Badge Division offices, the Earp Homestead settings are owned by creator Beau Smith, NBCUniversal, the Syfy Channel, and SEVEN24 Films IDW Entertainment. The original characters of Kyler Haught, Kendalyn Carrington, and Commander Langston Malloy are the property of this author, and any resemblance to fictional characters, or real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Rights to the song Glass, recorded by Thompson Square, belong to composers Jon Nile & Ross Copperman, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC. No copyright infringement intended with regard to any of the aforementioned persons or entities.

Special thanks to my pal "Sylvia Yule" from Ao3 for sharing her brilliant insights on these characters, and allowing me to pilfer from her Tumblr blog for Wynonna's inner monologue as she contemplates what Waverly's relationship with Nicole could mean for her and the sisterly bond they've worked so hard to solidify. Beyond that, with the exception of brief references to Nicole's Tumblr blog, and snippets of scenes from Episode 1.11, Landslide, which aired on 6.10.2016, Episode 1.12, House of Memories, which aired on 6.17.2016, Episode 1.13, I Walk the Line, which aired on 6.24.2016, Episode 2.01, Steel Bars and Stone Walls, which aired on 6.9.2017, and Episode 2.02, Shed Your Skin, which aired on 6.16.2017,the story content and dialogue in these scenes are original. There are a few twists on the Season 2 materials, because my Waverly was smart enough not to touch the goo, and thus… no Gooverly to deal with as she and Nicole move forward with their relationship; but I wanted to include some of the sweetness we've been blessed with since Season 2 began airing, because it's just so damned beautiful. Anyway, written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

As with past chapters, there's no beta on this, since I'm just writing it for fun. Any and all mistakes are my own. If you see anything major, I'd appreciate the heads-up so I can correct it. Thank you again for all the follows, favorites, kudos, and comments. Your continued interest in this story is deeply appreciated, and I honestly feel overwhelmed—in the best possible way—by your words of support and encouragement with regard to my work. I've been writing for more than 15 years, and I have to say, the compliments I've read from you all regarding this story continue to be some of the most generous I've ever received. I lack words to express how much that means to me, but I will always endeavor to respond personally to each comment. In the meantime, thank you from the bottom of my WayHaught-loving Earper heart.

You've all been waiting so patiently, and I've been writing and piecing this one together for MONTHS, much of it actually from the beginning, so I hope y'all thoroughly enjoy your ultimate payoff, in Chapter 12—Graphene and Glass…

The Ten Times Waverly Earp was Definitely NOT on a Date with Nicole Haught

"I'll let you look inside me, through the stains and through the cracks.

And in the darkness of this moment, you see the good and bad.

But try not to judge me, 'cause we've walked down different paths.

But it brought us here together, so I won't take that back.

We may shine. We may shatter.

We may be pickin' up the pieces here on after.

We are fragile. We are human.

And we are shaped by the light we let through us.

We break fast.

'Cause we are glass."

— Jon Nile & Ross Copperman, Glass

Chapter 12 – Graphene and Glass:

Wednesday, June 15, 2016… Ghost River County Municipal Offices—1:12 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Restless and filled with frustration, Waverly tossed and turned in her bed. It was late. And she was exhausted. But she couldn't sleep. Not without Nicole there by her side. It was funny how quickly she'd become accustomed to the security of knowing Nicole was right there, close enough that she could reach for her in the night, when the dark was too much. Now that Nicole was stuck on third shift, the nights felt impossibly long—the days, even longer, just knowing that Nicole was asleep in her bed and Waverly couldn't spend the day there with her. All thanks to Willa. Wynonna had put her on babysitting detail, and the task of keeping their eldest sister out of trouble had thus far proved far more daunting than either of them ever would have imagined.

Rolling over, Waverly grabbed Nicole's pillow, and pulling it to her, she buried her face in it, soaking in the crisp, clean scent of her. That was all it took for her to crave Nicole's touch all over her body. Never in her life had she craved the touch of another. Not until Nicole. "God, I miss you," she whispered, wishing Nicole were close enough to hear her.

A moment later, almost as though their thoughts were linked, her phone went off—a text alert. Waverly smiled into the darkness. Wynonna and Willa were home and asleep; it could only be one person. She rolled toward the night stand, taking Nicole's pillow along with her, and reached for her phone. The brightness of the screen was startling against the dark of night as she unlocked it, revealing Nicole's message:

I'm so sorry I have to work all night tonight. I really wanna be there with you.

Despite her own exhaustion, Nicole's text made Waverly's heart swoon. She had been shot that afternoon by one of the mercenaries hired to assassinate Dolls, and Nicole was riddled with guilt for not having been there to protect her. Waverly knew it, because she'd said so earlier in the afternoon when she'd raced to the homestead to check on her after hearing the news.

A rare occurrence since they'd been together, Nicole had chosen not to sleep at the homestead, because she had errands to run in town that would take most of the day. She was planning to take a short nap that afternoon, and then Waverly was coming over for dinner before Nicole had to leave for work.

But plans had drastically changed the moment Dolls called to tell her about Waverly being shot. They hadn't come out to him as a couple—not in so many words—but somehow, he knew, and he knew that Nicole would want to be there. And now she was kicking herself for the decision to stay in town, despite the fact that Waverly had assured her there was nothing she could have done to prevent what happened. It was Waverly's own choice to grab that sawed-off shotgun, and engage in gunfire with the hitmen, Waverly had argued when Nicole shared how she was feeling. But being who she was, Nicole felt disappointed in herself for letting Waverly down, and reason did nothing to quell her emotions. And to cope, she shifted into protector mode, taking care of Waverly with more tenderness than Waverly had ever experienced in her life.

I know. I wish you could be here too, Waverly replied. She didn't think she'd ever wished for anything more. I miss you so much.

I miss you too, Nicole replied, her heart aching with the truth of it. Knowing Waverly was injured, and having to be apart from her was one of the most difficult things she'd ever done. Granted, it was only for a few hours, but it felt like an eternity since she'd held her, and touched her, offering reassurance to them both. Tell me you're okay again, she prodded gently. She simply needed to hear it.

Waverly could sense the worry in Nicole's tone, despite the means of communication. And she was certain she would feel the exact same way if the tables were turned, so she certainly couldn't fault her. All she could do was attempt to offer reassurance, and so she did. I'm fine, I swear.

A few minutes passed, and then Waverly's ringtone sounded again. She rolled her eyes and grinned when she read Nicole's latest message: Okay. What about now?

Still fine, Waverly replied, feeling a little more amused that she thought she probably should.

Are you sure? Nicole knew she was being ridiculous, but she just couldn't help it. The woman she loved had been shot! What was she supposed to do, if not worry?

YES. OMG. Waverly would've laughed outright, if she didn't know Nicole was worried sick about her.

You were SHOT, Nicole responded, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. She couldn't believe how dismissive Waverly was being about the whole thing.

I was GRAZED, Waverly countered. Concerned for Nicole, and worried that her fears might affect her concentration on the job, Waverly attempted to downplay the incident. For the first time, she was grateful Nicole was stuck on the graveyard shift. Most of the incidents that occurred under the dark of night fell under the Black Badge purview, rather than Purgatory Sheriff's Department, and thus, Nicole was more likely to be safe from potential harm when she worked nights.

Nicole felt her insides churn at the mere idea of losing Waverly. She felt helpless against the forces of evil that seemed to abound in the Ghost River Triangle, and now, it seemed, she would have to fight to protect Waverly against human enemies, as well. She closed her eyes, allowing her mind to bring up an image of Waverly in her arms—the feel of Waverly's body melded with her own, the light, fragrant scent of her, the sweet, minty taste of her kisses, the physical sensations she felt splay throughout her body whenever they touched.

Opening her eyes, along with her heart, she shared her feelings with Waverly: I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you.

Waverly's heart tripped in her chest. How was it even possible that this woman could make her feel so completely treasured and loved with just a few simple words? But she did. Nicole was a part of her now, and she couldn't imagine ever living without her again. And she wondered, not for the first time, what she had done to deserve a love like this. Me either, she replied. I'm okay. Honestly 3

Nicole simply smiled to herself. She couldn't wait to see Waverly in the morning. To hold her. To touch her. To reassure herself, yet again, that Waverly really was okay. But for now, she would have to settle for simply sending her love. So that's exactly what she did. 3

---

Friday, June 17, 2016… The Earp Homestead—8:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Waverly's heart fluttered in her chest as she watched Nicole apply ointment to the gauze pad in her hand. Ever protective of her, Nicole had taken on the task of caring for her from the moment she'd arrived at the homestead two days prior. As such, it was a sight she'd grown accustomed to seeing over the past few days; and still, it rocked her heart in the most beautiful way. She offered a shy smile in response, loving how focused Nicole was, and how gentle, as she tended to her wound.

What she loved even more were the kisses they'd shared upon Nicole's arrival that afternoon when Dolls had her bring Willa home from Black Badge. They still couldn't figure out how he actually knew about them, but ever since she and Nicole got together, he seemed to look for reasons to put the two of them together. Not that they were complaining. Waverly found it sweet; Nicole found it… curious.

Nevertheless, upon their arrival at the homestead, a seemingly distraught Willa had run directly upstairs to her bedroom, leaving Waverly and Nicole to their own devices. Glancing toward the stairway to ensure they were safe, Waverly reached for Nicole, pulling her close, and kissing her the way she'd quickly grown comfortable doing. Nicole was growing more accustomed this new facet of their relationship, as well; and still, it took her breath away every time Waverly reached for her.

When their kiss ended, Nicole leaned her forehead against Waverly's, releasing a groan of frustration. "How did we manage to have so much time alone before we were together, and now… we can barely steal five minutes?" It was her turn to complain about their lack of privacy. She was patient to a fault, but between her unfortunate and repeated assignment to the night shift, and Waverly having to babysit Willa, things were just getting ridiculous.

Waverly chuckled, and tipped Nicole's chin, meeting her gaze. Impatience looked adorable on her. "Aw… is my sweet baby getting frustrated?"

"YES!" Nicole exclaimed emphatically, drawing a hearty laugh from Waverly, who kissed her again.

And then she met Nicole's gaze, her tone turning more serious. "Maybe it just seemed like we had more time, because we spent most of it thinking about what we'd rather be doing with one another," she suggested.

Amused, Nicole laughed. "Maybe…" she said, noncommittally. "Or maybe I was just better at ignoring how much I wanted you, before you jumped me in Nedley's office," she teased.

"Uh, excuse me… 'jumped' you?" Waverly begged to differ.

"Well, what else would you have me call it?" Nicole asked reasonably.

Waverly's face adopted a rather smug expression. "I think I'd call it making your dreams come true, Officer Haught."

Nicole's expression vacillated between contemplation and amusement for several moments. "Can't say that I can argue with that," she finally said.

Pleased, Waverly grinned. And then she was kissing her again; this time, with a ferocity that rocked Nicole's entire world.

Groaning into their kiss, Nicole reveled in the sensation of Waverly's fingertips against her neck, of Waverly's tongue playing determinedly against her own, and the weight of her body as Waverly leaned into her, pressing her against the wall just out of sight of the stairway. She could feel her everywhere, all at once, and it made her head spin in the most delightful way.

When Nicole groaned softly into Waverly's mouth, Waverly grasped her hand, loosely entwining their fingers, and they quickly retreated to the bedroom. Landing on Waverly's bed, hands wandered as their kisses continued, growing increasingly intense to the point of leaving them both breathless. And then they were laughing together as they lay wrapped around one another, struggling for air.

Waverly reached out, trailing a fingertip along Nicole's cheek, her thumb lightly grazing Nicole's lower lip. "I want you so much, Nicole," she husked, her eyes gleaming a coppery-brown with desire as she lay there next to Nicole, sharing the same pillow.

A soft smile spread across Nicole's lips. She delighted in hearing Waverly say such things. "I want you too, Waves," she declared on a breathless whisper. Words were inadequate to express how much. "But we definitely can't right now. Not with Willa running loose in the house."

"When, then?" Waverly sighed discontentedly. "I don't know how much longer I can stand it."

Delighting in the sense of urgency in Waverly's tone, Nicole chuckled softly. "Soon, Baby," she said confidently. And then she drew Waverly to her, tangling her fingertips in those long wavy tresses as she kissed her again.

They didn't reemerge from the bedroom until they heard Willa moving around upstairs. At that point, concerned that she could come downstairs at any moment, they returned to the dining room where Nicole set about changing Waverly's bandage. Not because it needed changing, but because she'd accidentally knocked it loose while palming Waverly's breasts, playing with her nipples as they kissed.

The sound of heavy boots on the hardwood floors announced Willa's impending return, and Nicole braced herself for yet another unpleasant encounter. It was bad enough she'd had to suffer the woman's presence during the drive out to the homestead, but now she had to deal with her interrupting them. The only positive thing about being used as a chauffeur was the prospect of seeing Waverly. And so Nicole had jumped at the opportunity, and she was grateful for the time they'd had alone.

But now Willa was back, and Nicole felt her entire body stiffen as the sound of those boots drew near. The shift in demeanor wasn't lost on Waverly as Willa reappeared in the room.

"How many times do I have to tell you, that stuff is poison?" Willa snapped as she approached them with determination in her stride.

Waverly felt the tension in her own body rise. Willa was being mean, and Waverly was loath to do anything about it, lest she upset her sister, and ultimately cause Wynonna more distress. And so she remained silent, allowing Nicole to handle it.

"I've been dressing her wound for the past two days," Nicole reminded, working hard to keep her defensiveness in check.

"Yeah," Willa said snippily. "And I've been re-dressing it."

The expression on Waverly's face was a mixture of panic and guilt as she awaited Nicole's response. And it was worse than she'd anticipated: No words, only a devastated expression in those beautiful russet eyes. And then Nicole sighed, avoiding her gaze altogether. That made the guilt even worse.

"Coconut oil," Willa said as she stooped down in front of Waverly, dabbing a bit of cream from the small jar she carried in her hand onto Waverly's exposed wound. "We used it on everything at the commune."

Nicole looked lost as she glanced at Waverly. And all Waverly could do was squirm in her chair. She looked like a trapped fawn.

Pausing, Willa turned to face Nicole. "You know, you don't have to be here every time," she snapped. "I know what I'm doing."

Unable to believe how awkward and rude Willa was being, Nicole shifted in her chair, stifling the urge to call her on her crap. "Oh, yeah…" she huffed, rolling her eyes.

"Uh, hey!" Waverly interjected, finally finding her voice. Immediately Nicole's gaze snapped to hers, and Waverly suggested, "Why don't you… pop out, and… I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah, sure, I'll just… pop out," Nicole said, unable to contain her frustration. She'd endured days on end of Willa's bullshit, and she'd finally had more than she could stand. Worse, she felt as though Waverly was just dismissing her—like Nedley did after the kidnapping—and more pointedly, like her grandfather had, every freaking day of her life; until he realized he could use her to his advantage. Well, she'd had enough of being treated like a pawn. Tossing the gauze on the table, she stood from the chair, and headed straight for the kitchen door, allowing it to slam shut behind her.

Feeling guilty, but reluctant to intervene, lest she upset Willa, and cause Wynonna more stress, Waverly simply watched Nicole leave, hoping she understood the tacit message to meet her in the barn. It was where they had taken to stealing rare moments of alone time since Willa's return. So far, only Doc had interrupted them there, and he had been a complete gentleman about it.

Willa glared at Nicole until she was out of sight. Then she stood from her stooped position, taking over Nicole's usual seat at the table. She felt a sense of satisfaction in doing so as she set the container of coconut oil in front of her. It made a loud "clack" as it hit the wooden tabletop.

Once she heard the back door close, indicating that Nicole was gone, Willa sighed. "I was rude again, wasn't I?" she asked, knowing full-well that she was all of that, and more. But she didn't care. She didn't like Nicole. Couldn't stand the fact that she was there at the homestead with Waverly all the time. And she really hated that Nicole always slept in Waverly's bed.

"No," Waverly answered, sighing internally. "It's fine," she said, conjuring up a fake smile as she fought to keep her true feelings cloistered deep inside.

"On top of everything else, I have to learn how to be around regular people again," Willa said, as she fastened the gauze over Waverly's wound with strips of medical tape.

Biting her tongue lest she say something rude or insensitive in return, Waverly swallowed her annoyance, and said, "Until then… you've got me." The words were difficult to say, and Waverly struggled to mean them. But she knew she had no choice. Wynonna needed her help with Willa, and Waverly would never willingly let Wynonna down.

---

Friday, June 17, 2016… The Earp Homestead—8:45 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

The moment Willa finished dressing her wound, Waverly excused herself, and made a beeline for her bedroom. Locking the door behind her, she raced to the window, peering outside. She felt a huge sense of relief at finding Nicole's patrol car still sitting in the drive. Grateful for the fact that her room was on the main floor, she unlatched the window, pushing it up. Climbing through it with ease, she dropped down into the dirt just outside. Quickly, she surveyed the area around her, making sure the coast was clear, and then she made a run for the barn, where she knew Nicole would be waiting for her.

"I'm so glad you understood my message," Waverly said, racing to Nicole the moment she was inside the barn. She reached for her, and taking Nicole's face into her hands, she tried to kiss her, only to have Nicole pull away.

Taken aback by the rebuff, Waverly reached for her again, this time gently touching her hand. "Nicole, what's wrong?"

"You let her re-dress your wound?" Nicole said, her tone reflecting hurt and loss.

"I…" Waverly's head was spinning. She paused, weighing her response. "She wanted to help, Nicole," she said gently. "And I… I thought it would make her feel more connected to us. I'm so sorry if that hurt you. Honestly, Babe, I didn't see any harm in it."

Pursing her lips, Nicole nodded as she processed Waverly's explanation. Slowly, she turned toward her again. "You're right. There's no harm in that," she agreed with a sigh. Why was she letting this woman get to her so much? "I just… it made me feel… insignificant, the way she said it. Like a weapon she was using against me."

Waverly pulled her close, cradling Nicole's face in her hands. "You are one of the most significant people in my life, Nicole Haught," she declared, realizing, in that very moment, just exactly how true it was. "Top three, remember? I thought you knew that."

A doubtful laugh slipped from Nicole's lips, unbidden. "Yeah, well, it doesn't exactly feel that way when you dismiss me like you did in there," she commented, her tone harsher than she'd intended. She wasn't the combative type, but she had no problem standing up for herself when it was necessary. And right now, it felt very necessary.

"That was never my intention," Waverly said softly. "I just wanted to stop her from being such a bitch to you. You don't deserve that."

"Then why didn't you stand up for me?" Nicole challenged. Eyes flashing, her jaw was tight with frustration.

Waverly had never seen her this way before, and though Nicole wasn't beligerent, by any means, and thus, not scary like Daddy, still, she really wasn't certain what to say, or do. And so she simply waited for Nicole to get her bearings. Thanks to Nicole's inherent level-headedness, she didn't have to wait for long.

"Not that I need you to fight my battles," Nicole clarified, when she regained her composure. She hated that the old man and his ghosts could still get to her like that, but they did. She could do nothing to stop them from coming for her, but she could damned well choose not to let them take hold. And in this instance, she had failed to remember that. Failed to fight against it. And failed to protect Waverly from the resulting frustration. For that, she was deeply regretful. With a much calmer tone, she said, "But… you know I won't say anything to Willa out of respect for you and Wynonna."

"And that's exactly why I don't challenge Willa myself," Waverly pointed out. "This is hard enough on Wynonna. I don't need to make it any worse."

Moving across the room, Nicole leaned against the far wall in the barn, her hands braced on a beam behind her back as she contemplated their conversation. She looked sad and worn as she watched Waverly, who had dropped down on the edge of Doc's makeshift bed, looking equally as rough. This whole thing was taking such a toll on them all. She knew what Willa's return was costing Waverly; she couldn't even fathom what it was costing Wynonna. And more importantly, like Waverly, she didn't want to make things any worse. So instead, she retreated, waiting for Waverly to take the lead.

Several minutes passed, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they struggled to make sense of everything that was happening around them. And then it was Waverly who broke the silence. "I'm exhausted," she said, her body language reflecting her declaration.

Delivered on a weary sigh, Waverly's declaration tore at Nicole's heart. She hated the distance she'd placed between them, both physically and otherwise, and she sought to rectify her mistake.

"Hey," she whispered, pushing away from the wall. No matter how she was feeling, she wouldn't let Waverly face this alone. She went to her then, crawling up on the double-stacked pile of hay bales behind her, and gently brushing Waverly's hair aside, she leaned in to kiss her tenderly.

But Waverly pulled away just slightly. It was an unconscious move, but it left Nicole feeling really hurt and confused.

Swallowing the hurt, Nicole touched her again. "I know, Baby," she whispered, watching her face in profile for any clues as to what was going on inside her.

Realizing what she'd done, Waverly leaned back toward her, accepting Nicole's attempt to offer comfort. Nicole reached for her, threading her fingers through Waverly's hair, as she leaned close again, pressing a lingering kiss to that place just behind Waverly's left ear—the place that drove her crazy in the best possible way. She managed another kiss to her temple before Waverly turned toward her, eyes closed, sniffing back tears as she reached for her, secure in the knowledge that Nicole would be there.

Desperately seeking that connection with Nicole, Waverly blindly searched for Nicole's soft, sweet mouth. Gratified to find her waiting and wanting, she lingered for a moment, her own mouth slightly parted, her top lip over Nicole's, just breathing her in.

And then their mouths came together in a series of slow kisses, as Waverly tenderly cradled Nicole's face in her hands, caressing her soft skin as their kisses intensified. Nicole's hands found their way to Waverly's waist, pulling her closer, their kisses ever deepening. As always seemed to be the case with them, it didn't take long for things to reach a fever pitch, and the next thing she knew, Nicole felt her sweater being lifted over her head.

Tossing the thick burgundy sweater to the ground, immediately Waverly reached for Nicole again, desperate to touch her, and be touched by her. God, this was all so hard, and she needed her so damned much!

And before they could even kiss again, Nicole was seeking consent. "Yeah?" she whispered breathlessly, her heart rate already escalated at the mere thought of finally being with Waverly. This wasn't exactly what she had in mind for their first time, but she could feel how much Waverly needed her, and if she were honest with herself, she knew she needed Waverly too.

Unable to help herself, Waverly nodded enthusiastically as she pulled Nicole to her, kissing her again—this time, a much deeper, more intense kiss—the kind that said she wanted everything she knew would follow.

Nicole was more than happy to oblige, and she broke their kiss just long enough to rid Waverly of her shirt. Not even bothering with the buttons, she lifted it with practiced ease over her head. It was clear by their movements that this wasn't the first time they'd stripped one another's clothes off in a passion-filled frenzy, and it was a beautiful, synchronized vision to behold as Waverly quickly ran her fingers through her hair, brushing it back from her face.

Breathing now labored, their mouths connected again the moment Waverly's long chestnut tresses were out of the way. Waverly's arms encircled Nicole's neck, and they clutched to one another, holding tightly. And then Nicole's hands were on her body, and then on her face, as their kisses continued, growing more demanding with every synchronized beat of their hearts.

And then suddenly Nicole stopped. "Shit…" cursed, seemingly out of nowhere, as she pulled away, leaving Waverly looking confused and more than a little hurt.

But the expression on Nicole's face quickly clued her in to the problem. She turned toward the doorway finding Willa there watching them. "Oh, my god," she breathed, sounding panicked.

"Sorry—" Willa said, not sounding like she meant it in the least. Waverly's quick disappearance earlier piqued her curiosity, and she went snooping only to find that Waverly was no longer in her bedroom. And then she noticed the patrol car still parked outside. Wherever Waverly was, she was with that damned cop. Something was up between those two, and she didn't like it one single bit. So she went in search of something she could use against them—and she found it, in spades.

As she reveled in her find, she recalled a conversation she'd had with Wynonna not long after her memories started to return. The resolution was unsatisfactory, to say the least. "What's up with Waverly and that cop?" she'd asked one morning after Nicole came wandering in, heading straight for Waverly's bedroom after dropping her boots by the door.

"Nicole?" Wynonna sounded surprised that Willa was even asking.

"Is there another cop crawling into our baby sister's bed every morning?" Willa snipped.

The expression on Wynonna's face told her that her true colors were showing, and not wanting to jeopardize her favor, she quickly backtracked. "Sorry. I guess I'm still adjusting to being part of a family again. Anyway, don't you think it's weird that Nicole sleeps in her bed?"

Wynonna brushed it off with the wave of a hand. And then she lifted her coffee mug, taking a sip of the hot liquid, once again grateful to Waverly for the new coffeemaker. "They're friends," she explained with a shrug, referring to Waverly and Nicole.

Willa gave her a look of utter disbelief. "Do your female friends sleep in your bed?" she challenged, her tone wry.

Wynonna's immediate reaction was to raise an eyebrow. "Have you met me? I don't have any female friends," she said dryly. But that response didn't set quite right. Not anymore. Not as she contemplated Nicole. "Well, except for Nicole," she corrected, liking the way it felt just to say it.

"You and Nicole are friends?" Willa sounded unconvinced.

"Well, yeah," Wynonna shrugged, the expression on her face saying Willa should know that it was true.

"Do you want her in your bed?" Willa pressed, stressing ownership of the bed.

This time Wynonna's expression clearly asked if Willa had lost her damned mind. "Hell, to the no!" she exclaimed.

"But it's perfectly normal for her to sleep in Waverly's," Willa concluded with a frown.

Wynonna furrowed her brow. "Well, where else is she supposed to sleep?"

"How about her own apartment?" Willa suggested, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I like having Nicole around," Wynonna said dismissively. "She looks after Waves when I can't be here."

"Waverly needs a babysitter?" Willa challenged. She always knew the girl was useless. Now it was apparent Wynonna realized it too.

"No," Wynonna answered. "But given our family… issues… it doesn't hurt to have reinforcements. And Nicole is the best, so…"

"Yeah, well, I don't like it," Willa snarled. "It's weird—a grown woman sleeping in our baby sister's bed."

"Well, I don't think it's weird at all," Wynonna said with a dismissive sigh. The conversation was tiresome, and she'd had more than enough. "I'm goin' to the doughnut shop. We're all outta the sprinkle ones," she announced, and grabbing her coffee mug then, she quickly vacated the room, leaving Willa staring after her.

And now, Willa was here, standing in the barn, staring at she proof she needed: Waverly and Nicole, breathless and half-naked. She moved slowly across the room, prowling like that damned cat Nicole had brought to the homestead. She hated the fucking creature, the way it stalked and pounced without warning. She always felt like it was spying on her. "Wow. Wynonna never said anything about you being a… a gay," she commented, thrilling at the expression of fear and guilt on Waverly's face.

Waverly said nothing in response, but that expression on her face, and the way Nicole was looking at Waverly with such concern, told her everything she needed to know to put Waverly exactly where she wanted her. "Oh, geez. You haven't told her."

Glaring at Willa with daggers in her eyes, Waverly said nothing.

Nicole knew if she stayed in that barn she would end up saying something she would regret. Not that she wouldn't mean every word of it, or that Willa wouldn't deserve it, but because Waverly and Wynonna would be hurt by it. "I have to go," she said as she slipped down from the makeshift bed.

The expression on Waverly's face as Nicole moved away was one of devastation and fear. Willa honed in on the fear—her baby sister was afraid of being abandoned. That was valuable information to have! She watched the scene unfold, reveling in the tension she had caused.

Nicole turned slightly, capturing Waverly's gaze. "Call me later," she said softly, the expression in her eyes offering reassurances to Waverly that they were okay.

Moving past Willa then, she glared at her for a brief moment, willing her to see the fury she felt inside. And then she slipped her sweater over her head, and walked out the door, leaving Waverly to deal with her sister.

Turning, Willa glared at Nicole as she retreated. That cop needed to go! And more than that, she needed to stay gone. When the door closed, she turned back toward Waverly, slowly moving toward her, her presence almost menacing. "Wynonna'd probably be pretty pissed if she found out you didn't tell her something like this, wouldn't she?" she commented, the threat of exposure lacing her words.

Fiddling with her shirt, Waverly shifted on the bed. "There it is," she sighed. This was exactly what she'd been expecting from the moment Willa reappeared. She stared at her for a moment, and then she glanced upward, pointing. "Remember that beam?"

Willa looked up.

"When I was four, you caught me going through Daddy's drawer, and you promised not to tell, if… I walked across that beam," Waverly recalled, with a hint of traumatization in her tone.

"I didn't," Willa said, sounding annoyed that Waverly would even bring it up. And then her eyes teared up. "Daddy was—"

"What?" Waverly snapped angrily as she slipped her arms back into her shirt. "Attentive?"

She rose from the bed, pulling her shirt down over her torso as she moved toward Willa with barely restrained fury. "Aware of your birthday?"

Willa's mind was reeling as Waverly moved past her with determination in her stride. Waverly was angry. A loose cannon. That could be useful.

She turned toward her, just as Waverly stopped, glaring at her with those callous eyes. "Willa, I could have broken my neck," she said through clenched teeth.

Putting on a show, Willa looked suitably remorseful, guilty even. But Waverly just gave her a look of disgust, and walked out the door, slamming it closed behind her.

---

Friday, June 17, 2016… Ghost River County Municipal Offices—9:34 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Pissed didn't even begin to cover the intensity of Nicole's feelings as she pulled out of the Earp driveway after their encounter with Willa in the barn. It wasn't that they'd been interrupted in the midst of yet another intimate moment. Or even that they'd barely had a minute alone together in days, thanks to Waverly's babysitting duties. She could deal with that. She was just glad to be with Waverly at all. But today felt like the final straw. She'd been dealing with Willa and her bullshit all day—starting with her attitude during the drive back to the homestead, and continuing when Willa decided to start a pissing contest over who should dress Waverly's wound. It was beginning to take a toll.

A few miles down the road, she pulled over, putting her patrol car in park. Taking a few moments to breathe and clear her head, she fished her phone from her pocket, unlocked it, and opened the ongoing text conversation with Waverly. And then she drew in one final deep breath, releasing it slowly before she reached out.

Oh my god, she texted. She still couldn't believe Willa had walked in on them, catching them in half-undressed.

Oh my god, Waverly was quick to respond. She couldn't believe it either. And she really couldn't believe what a bitch Willa was being. Not only about catching her in a compromising position with Nicole, but about absolutely everything! She'd had half a notion to strangle her after that barely-veiled threat about Wynonna being pissed.

OH my GOD, Nicole said again, this time with more intensity. She was truly at a loss for words.

OH MY GOD, Waverly replied, feeling completely overwhelmed.

Well, that was strange, Nicole finally commented, not really knowing what else to say. What could she say? That Waverly's not-so-dead sister was an annoying pain in the ass? That she was rude beyond belief? Acting like a petulant child? How about that she was a complete bitch? No—she couldn't say any of those things. And she really didn't want to. She just wished Willa would get her shit together, so that Waverly could have a little peace.

She's going to tell Wynonna.

The panic behind Waverly's words was palpable. It practically leapt at Nicole through the phone. She paused for a moment, carefully weighing her words before responding. Is that… bad?

She was almost afraid to hear the answer.

Confused, and a bit anxious, Waverly hesitated in responding. Was it bad? Would Wynonna be okay with the idea of her being with a woman? Surely, she would. Hell, Wynonna was never one to judge anyone, because she'd fucked up so much in her own life. But… what if? The uncertainty of it gave Waverly pause, and her heart hammered in her chest as she answered, I don't… know?

Reading Waverly's response, Nicole could almost hear the uncertainty in her voice. She felt a wave of disappointment, followed by a twinge of fear. What if Waverly wasn't ready for this? What if she changed her mind?

What if…

Fighting back the tears that threatened, Nicole sighed wearily.

The "What if" game was a dangerous one—one she didn't want to play. And so she opted for dry humor: I didn't think it was possible for another of your sisters to be more socially awkward, yet here we are.

NOT HELPING OFFICER SMARTASS, Waverly retorted with lightning speed.

Amused, Nicole smirked as she responded. That's Officer Haughtass to you.

Nicole wouldn't ordinarily play with Waverly like that when she was angry or upset, but she knew that Waverly was wound up, and that she needed to just have a good laugh to get herself back on steady ground emotionally.

Oh my god, Waverly replied. So not ready for jokes.

Nicole could hear the groan in Waverly's tone, and she grinned to herself, as she replied: I know, Baby. I'm sorry… I just wanted to make you smile for a second; take your mind off all of this.

Waverly smiled as she read Nicole's apology. You, my Love, are the only one who ever could, she replied, knowing deep down inside, that it was the absolute truth. And in the single breath that it took to read Waverly's response, Nicole knew without a doubt she would never have to wonder "What if…" again.

---

Saturday, June 18, 2016… The Earp Homestead—5:45 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

"Give me ten minutes?" Waverly squeezed by Nicole, slipping into the bathroom as Nicole was exiting after her shower. They were getting ready for the party Bobo Del Rey was throwing at the Wainwright, and thanks to Wynonna's extreme disdain for schedules, she and Nicole were now running late. Once Wynonna was ready, she and Willa headed over to the Black Badge offices to meet up with Dolls, leaving Waverly and Nicole completely alone in the house for the first time since they became a couple.

Reaching for her, Nicole gently grasped Waverly's wrist, a roguish grin playing across her lips as she pulled her close. "You know…" she said, her tone suggestive as she encircled Waverly loosely in her arms, "we could've saved a lot of time if you just climbed in the shower with me."

Waverly gasped softly, her lips parting as she gazed into those captivating eyes, and slowly, she pulled her lower lip into her mouth. She looked uncertain, almost thrown, and Nicole's expression turned to one of concern. "You okay, Waves?" she asked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"What? No," Waverly answered, shaking her head. "I just… you caught me by surprise, that's all. I mean… we've never… Well, we've never done that before. We've never done a lot of things, for that matter," she muttered self-deprecatingly. "And I just thought…"

"Thought what?" Now Nicole was curious.

"I mean… Isn't that something you do with someone after you've had sex with them?" Waverly wasn't certain. All of this was foreign territory to her. She was used to Champ, who got drunk, fucked her until he was satisfied, and then rolled over and fell asleep; and usually crept out in the middle of the night without so much as a "goodnight." Showers were never a part of the deal. And neither was breakfast.

With Nicole, everything was different, and she hadn't a clue what any of the rules were. She averted that steady gaze, focusing instead on the thick, white towel that was wrapped around Nicole's body, and thrilling at the mere thought of her being completely naked beneath. Everything in her wanted to strip that towel away, and just take care of the issue at hand: the fact that they still hadn't had sex. Despite Nicole's patient reassurances, everything about that was tripping her up.

Watching the tidal wave of emotion crashing down on her, gently, Nicole tipped Waverly's chin, reestablishing their connection. "Where's this comin' from, Waves?"

Waverly hesitated as she attempted to work up her courage. Her heart was pounding so hard she swore Nicole could feel it against her own chest. "Nicole, I've never…"

Words faltered, as insecurity crept in.

"Never what, Sweetheart?" Nicole murmured softly, as she brushed a lock of Waverly's hair from her face. Her heart was breaking from the uncertainty in Waverly's eyes.

The tenderness in Nicole's touch and in her tone lightened Waverly's load, and she found her voice again. "I've never shared anything that… intimate… with anyone before," she finally managed. "I've never had that kind of relationship."

Having garnered a clear understanding of Waverly's hesitation, Nicole gave a slow nod. "Do you want to have that kind of relationship?"

Waverly offered a faint smile, and then she bit her bottom lip, adorably. "With you, I do," she answered, almost shyly, though she didn't avert Nicole's steady gaze. "But… we haven't even had sex yet."

Nicole certainly couldn't argue, but to her, it just didn't matter. She knew it would happen when the time was right. "Baby, why are you gettin' so tripped up over that?" she asked gently.

"Because…" It wasn't an answer, but it was all Waverly had.

Brushing her fingertips beneath Waverly's chin, Nicole tipped her face upward, kissing her tenderly. "I love you, Waverly," she whispered reassuringly. "And I know there's a lot we haven't experienced together yet, but… we've been far more intimate with one another than I've ever been with anyone else."

"You really mean that, don't you?" Waverly sounded relieved.

Raking her fingers through Waverly's hair, Nicole smiled softly as she gathered her close. "Yes, I do," she reassured.

"I wish we wouldn't have stopped that first night," Waverly sighed, frustrated with own lack of courage. "I'm sorry I was such a…"

"Hey," Nicole whispered gently, her fingertips caressing Waverly's face. "It's okay. You were nervous. And frankly, so was I."

"Why on earth were you nervous?" Waverly sounded confused. "It's not like you've never done this before."

"I've never done it like this, Waves," Nicole quietly confessed, those soft russet eyes shimmering with pure adoration.

"Like what?" Waverly queried.

"With someone I love," Nicole whispered, brushing her mouth against Waverly's in a tender kiss.

A faint smile flickered across Waverly's mouth. "Neither have I," she whispered. "And I do love you, Nicole. God, I love you so much." And then she was kissing her, fingertips tangled in those thick auburn locks that hung loosely around her shoulders, as she pressed Nicole backwards against the doorjamb.

Nicole groaned when Waverly's tongue snaked out, playing along the edges of her lips. Willingly, she opened to her, granting entrance as she grasped Waverly's hips, pulling her closer. Their kiss deepened, and Waverly's hand moved down, toying with the knot that held Nicole's towel in place. "Maybe we should just skip the party," she husked against Nicole's mouth.

"Mm…" Nicole moaned, loving the sound of that, and all that it meant; and at the same time knowing it was the wrong thing to do. Gently, she ended their kiss, her hands tenderly cupping Waverly's face. "As amazing as that sounds, I don't think it's the best idea."

"But Willa is gone right now," Waverly pointed out. "We should take advantage."

"Yeah, and what's the first thing you think she'll do when she realizes we both skipped out on this party?" Nicole reasoned.

"Shit," Waverly cursed. "She'll tell Wynonna everything."

"Exactly," Nicole said, sounding beyond aggravated by the threat that now loomed over their heads. She had no intention of allowing Willa's threats to deter them indefinitely. "My place tonight?" she suggested, hopefulness in her tone. "Wynonna can babysit for one night, can't she?"

"Absolutely," Waverly readily agreed. Peering up at her, she met Nicole's gaze, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she smiled. And then she lifted up on her tiptoes, kissing her again. "Tonight, Nicole," she whispered against Nicole's mouth. "Tonight's our night."

Nicole groaned softly, pulling her impossibly closer. "Mm… Baby, I can't wait…"

---

Saturday, June 18, 2016… The Wainwright—7:45 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Two hours later, standing near the doorway that led into the grand ballroom at the rustic Wainwright hotel, Nicole glanced up just in time to see Waverly descending the staircase. Dressed in a strapless turquoise gown, with her hair pulled back from her face, she looked like a perfect radiant mermaid as she smiled down at Nicole. She was so beautiful Nicole's breath caught in her chest, and she nearly dropped her flute of champagne.

The flush on Waverly's face reached all the way to her chest as Nicole watched her, and feeling equally as blown away by how stunning Nicole looked in that purple dress she thought she'd never wear again, Waverly shook her head, a shy smile spreading slowly across her face.

Nicole blushed under the intensity of Waverly's resolute gaze, and for a moment she averted her eyes. When she looked up again, Waverly was drawing near, causing Nicole's heart to flutter in her chest. "You are a vision," she declared the moment Waverly was within earshot.

"Oh, please," Waverly said modestly. "I didn't even have time to accessorize."

And that was the truth.

After Waverly showered, they had headed for town dressed in casual clothes because Nicole hadn't known anything about the party prior to her arrival at the homestead, and Waverly's dress was still at Black Badge. She figured it would be easier to change into it there, than try to manage the stick shift in her Jeep while wearing it. Besides, she needed to meet Wynonna and Willa at the office so that she could take over babysitting duties and free Wynonna up to execute their plan. Dropping Waverly off at the station, Nicole headed home to change, with the agreement that they would meet up again at the Wainwright just before eight o'clock.

"Oh, see, I knew I wore this bracelet for a reason," Nicole said with a flirtatious wink. Reaching for the bracelet, she released the clasp, and quickly fastened it to Waverly's wrist.

"Thanks," Waverly said. "Hey, if we get out of here, we are getting dressed up way more often."

Nicole looked confused. "What do you mean, 'if we get out of here'?"

Panicked, Waverly shifted her gaze. "Um…" she uttered, scrambling for an explanation. And then she met Nicole's gaze again. "Just… stay close to the exits, okay?"

Before Nicole could react, Willa appeared at the top of the staircase, beckoning for Waverly. "Willa," Nicole sighed, annoyed by yet another interruption by the eldest Earp sister.

Waverly glanced up at her sister, and then turned back to Nicole, her eyes sending a message that she would see her again very soon. And then she headed back toward the stairs, inadvertently leaving Nicole open for an ambush by Champ.

The moment Waverly was out of sight, he beat a path straight for Nicole, cornering her in his lame tuxedo t-shirt. Nicole rolled her eyes in disgust as he approached, grimacing when his alcohol-laden breath reached her well before he did.

"I saw all that, you know," he slurred.

"Not now, Champ," Nicole said dismissively.

"So you two are, like, together now, eh?" he sneered. "That's disgusting. Disgusting!" he bellowed, swigging back the remainder of his champagne.

Nicole looked as though she might snap his neck she was so furious. But instead, she chose to walk away. Sidestepping him, she moved across the room toward the staircase, going in search of Waverly who, as though she felt Nicole coming for her, began moving in that same direction.

Champ followed closely on her heels. "You know, as soon as we break up, you just swoop in and steal my girl," he accused, dropping his empty champagne glass onto a tray held by one of the servers as he moved across the room.

The moment the accusation was out of his mouth, Nicole turned sharply toward him. "Okay, lower your voice," she commanded through clenched teeth. "Waverly doesn't belong to anyone."

"Oh, yeah," Champ mocked, grabbing Nicole's champagne glass from her hand rudely. "Blah, blah, blah, feminine blah," he snarled, as he began ascending the lower stairs.

Waverly, who had heard every word he said, stopped on the landing between the two staircases, staring him down as he moved toward her. "Champ! You're drunk. And apparently a raging homophobe," she accused.

Champ stopped. "Oh, you think this is because she's a girl?" he whined.

Nicole caught up with him, standing just to the side, one step down in a position to take control if necessary.

Concerned, Waverly's gaze shifted to Nicole, as Nedley stepped in. "Okay, Champ, I think you've had enough," he said in an authoritative tone.

"Oh, of course you're gonna take her side," Champ groused. And then he turned toward Nicole. "You know, every time I failed that preliminary law enforcement exam, she would say 'It's okay, Champ. You have nothing to prove'," he recounted, his tone a mocking whine that caused Nicole to roll her eyes at him again. "But apparently that was a lie. She's datin' a cop."

Panicked, Nicole's heart stopped in her chest, and she looked up to find Waverly and Nedley both looking at her. Nedley glanced briefly at Waverly, finally making sense of things he'd seen and heard. And then he nodded slightly, deciding that he approved. He turned his attention back to Champ, then. "Well, I guess that would be their own private business," he declared in their defense. "Come on, son; let's get you out of here."

Waverly looked stunned; Nicole, relieved by Nedley's response. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised, but she was, and the emotions his support evoked in her were far too much for her to start picking apart just yet. And so she decided to just focus on Waverly, who despite the stress of the moment, still looked more beautiful than she could even fathom.

"No!" Champ barked. And then he squeezed his champagne flute so tightly that it shattered in his hand as he began foaming at the mouth, and doubled over in pain.

"Oh, my god!" someone screamed, as Nicole looked at him with concern.

"Champ, are you… on something other than bubbly?" Waverly asked. It wouldn't be the first time, but the way he looked scared the hell out of her as he began advancing on her rapidly.

"Ho! Ho, ho, ho," Nedley grunted, stepping between Champ and Waverly, blocking his access to her.

Champ turned then, attempting to retreat, and the moment he did, Nicole cold-cocked him, knocking him flat on his ass, drawing exclamations of surprise and delight from the crowd. Once he was down, Nicole yanked a set of handcuffs from her clutch, slapping them on his wrists with practiced ease. And then stifling the smirk that begged to be seen, she glanced up, finding Waverly's spellbound gaze.

Score one for her; Waverly was impressed.

Yanking Champ to his feet then, Nicole dragged him off to stash him in the corner where he belonged. And then she returned for Waverly, who had retreated to the wraparound veranda out front. Finding her leaning against the rail, the moonlight glistening in her eyes, Nicole felt her breath catch as her heart seized in her chest. She paused near the stairs that led down to the street level, simply taking in the sight of her, before making her way across the terrace to Waverly's side.

A faint smile flickered across Waverly's lips as she turned to Nicole, draping her arms around Nicole's neck as naturally as if she'd been doing so her entire life. "You're so damned beautiful, it makes my heart hurt," she complimented. "The moment I saw you in there, I wanted to kiss you senseless."

Eyes twinkling, Nicole smiled as she wrapped her arms around Waverly's waist, pulling her snugly against her own body. "I feel the same way about you," she replied. "And there's not a moment goes by, that I don't think about kissing you."

"Well, you could kiss me now," Waverly invited.

Biting her lower lip, Nicole chuckled softly. "Don't mind if I do," she declared. And then she leaned down, covering Waverly's mouth with her own, as Waverly's fingers tangled in the thick, auburn locks that hung loosely at the base of Nicole's neck. As much as she loved Nicole's braid, she loved her hair flowing freely equally as much. Basically, she just loved everything about Nicole, and honestly, she didn't think she could ever get enough of her.

The kiss that followed was slow and sensual, imparting the message of unabashed want, and when their mouths parted, Waverly smiled up into Nicole's eyes. "You know, that was… way hot… the way you handled Champ in there. It totally did things to me," she murmured, her low, gravely tone implying just exactly what kinds of things.

Flushing, Nicole grinned. Waverly's tone of voice was doing things to her. All kinds of wonderful things. Suddenly, she couldn't wait to get her home. "Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah," Waverly rasped. "You're super sexy when you take control."

"You like that, huh?" Nicole presumed, her tone low and flirtatious.

"I like it when you do it," Waverly answered, emphasizing the part about Nicole. "Think maybe you could get those cuffs back tonight?"

Nicole felt the reverberations of her reaction coursing through her veins. "Are you serious?" she said breathlessly.

Waverly arched an eyebrow. "Why don't you try me, and find out, Officer Haught?" she all but dared.

Pulse racing, Nicole couldn't help the roguish grin that hijacked her face. "I just might do that," she declared, accepting the challenge. And then she was kissing Waverly again—the kind of kiss that left no doubt in Waverly's mind that Nicole would do just exactly that.

---

Saturday, June 18, 2016… The Wainwright—11:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

When all hell broke loose a few hours later, in the wake of Bobo's announcement that he had poisoned all the champagne and placed a target on Wynonna's head, Waverly grabbed Willa at Wynonna's insistence, and immediately went in search of Nicole. "Uh, Nicole, come with us," she insisted, her tone panicked.

Nicole shook her head. "Champ's right, Waves. You're datin' a cop now," she reminded. "We go where the danger is."

"God, that's sexy," Waverly practically growled. And so was Nicole the way she handled those handcuffs.

Releasing a soft laugh, Nicole blushed slightly. "Look, Nedley's callin' backup. We're gonna contain this, okay?"

"Okay."

"You didn't drink the champagne, did you?" Nicole asked, concern evident in her tone.

Shaking her head, Waverly said, "No. You?"

"No," Nicole answered with the slight shake of her head.

"Okay." Waverly released a sigh of relief, and the she wrapped her hand around Nicole's neck, kissing her firmly, as Nicole's hand grasped her forearm.

And then understanding the urgency, Nicole pulled away. "Okay. Go," she instructed, her eyes locked on Waverly's.

"Shit," Waverly sighed as she turned to where she'd left her sister. "Willa?" she called, quickly scanning the room. "Willa!"

Nicole glanced around frantically, but the eldest Earp sister was nowhere to be found. Damn, that woman! Why couldn't she just act like an adult? As Nicole continued scanning the room, Waverly took off in search of her sister, leaving Nicole to wonder whether she would see either of them again that evening. She certainly hoped so.

Well, Waverly, at least.

---

Sunday, June 19, 2016… Ghost River County Municipal Offices—2:15 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Unfortunately for Nicole, she did see Willa again later that evening—when she walked in on her holding a gun on Waverly and Wynonna. Her heart stopped in her chest as she sized up the situation: A clearly unstable lunatic pointing a gun at two women she loved dearly. Life just got a hell of a lot more complicated. Now she wished she'd allowed Waverly to distract her enough to skip that damned party.

"Hey, I knew I recognized that ringtone," Nicole said cheerily as she strolled into the bullpen at the police station, pocketing her phone mid-call when she found Waverly inside.

She had a lot to be chipper about, with Doc's revelations about being "The Doc Holliday," and about the demon revenants—finally, she had proof that she wasn't losing her mind! And then having Dolls deputize her on the spot. Wow! She'd grinned like an idiot when he called her "Agent Haught," and welcomed her to the Black Badge Division. For the first time in what felt like ages, both personally and professionally, she was on top of the world—finally included in the Black Badge action, and with no secrets in their way, she and Waverly might actually have a chance at a future together. It was what she wanted more than anything in the world.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed, her mood suddenly deflated when she heard the gun cock as Willa turned it directly on her. She lifted her hands in surrender, her gun belt dangling from her left hand.

Waverly's face wore a look of terror when she saw Nicole in the sites of that gun. Willa was crazy; not to be trusted, and Waverly had no way to protect Nicole from her wrath.

Her eyes, and that gun, never wavering from Nicole, Willa demanded, "Give me Peacemaker, or I punch a bunch of holes in Waverly's girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Wynonna sounded perplexed as she glanced at Waverly for explanation.

"Um, kind-of," Waverly responded in a panic.

"Kind-of?" Eyes widening, Nicole sounded incensed.

Still, Wynonna seemed oblivious as she turned her attention back to Willa. "I know you won't shoot."

"What do I care about some ginger butch cop?" Willa snarled, giving Nicole the evil eye.

"Wynonna, she'll do it," Waverly snapped. At that point, she didn't care who knew what. She was scared and angry, and desperate to protect Nicole.

"Waverly…" Nicole intoned, her attention never faltering from Willa. The woman was a complete wildcard; she had to be prepared for anything.

"If I don't have it in three..." Willa threatened.

"No, please!" Waverly pleaded, tears pooling in those dazzling green eyes.

"It's the only thing that'll stop Bobo," Wynonna reminded.

"Two…" Willa was undeterred.

Nicole's breathing grew labored with fear.

"Wynonna…" Waverly implored.

"I can't," Wynonna said softly, willing Waverly to understand.

"Please," Waverly outright begged. And then she glanced at Nicole before looking Wynonna directly in the eyes. "I love her," she whispered desperately, drawing Nicole's gaze to her.

Elated, despite current circumstances, Nicole's heart trilled in her chest. Waverly said it. Out loud. To Wynonna. She couldn't believe it. If they hadn't been in a life-threatening situation, she would've howled with joy over Waverly's declaration. Instead, all she could do was hold her breath, and pray that one of the elder Earp girls would come to their damned senses.

The gun cocked, and Nicole's eyes snapped back to Willa, as Waverly began to cry.

"One…" Willa intoned menacingly.

Waverly's pleading eyes were too much for Wynonna, as tears formed in her own. Waverly had finally found someone who was worthy of her love, and Wynonna couldn't bear to take that away from her. "Okay. Okay," she relented.

Haughtily, Willa held out her hand, silently demanding Peacemaker, and with extreme reluctance, Wynonna turned it over to her. Waverly and Nicole released a combined breath of relief.

"So naïve, so emotional," Willa accused, her tone making it clear that she judged them for their weakness.

"This isn't over," Wynonna declared, strength rising within her. "I'm coming for you."

Unmoved by Wynonna's threat, Willa stared her down. "Then I better slow you down," she declared. And then she pointed the gun at Nicole again, pulling the trigger without a moment's hesitation.

Waverly screamed as Nicole hit the ground, where she lay, appearing lifeless.

"Now you know what it feels like when people take your things," Willa declared, before racing from the room, Peacemaker in hand.

The moment Willa moved past Nicole, Waverly was at her side, tending to her. "Come here," she said, gently rolling Nicole onto her back.

"I want…" Gasping for breath, Nicole tried to speak, but Waverly hushed her.

"I know, I know," Waverly cried, looking down at Nicole with fear in her eyes.

Nicole tried to sit up, but Waverly settled her back down, attempting to check her over.

"No blood," Wynonna said as she approached. "There's no blood!" she exclaimed.

"Shh-shh…" Waverly soothed, as she cradled Nicole's head in her hands, gently running her fingers through Nicole's hair.

"If my sister joined the dark side, and you've been a revenant this whole time," Wynonna warned as she stooped down beside them, "I'm just gonna call in sick tomorrow."

"Shh…" Waverly hushed as Nicole tried to talk again.

"No, I'm…" Nicole struggled for words, gasping as Wynonna unceremoniously ripped her shirt open. "Wearing a bullet-proof vest," she managed on an exhale, as the buttons from her shirt scattered all over the floor.

Waverly released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, the relief so profound that her lungs actually burned from the power of it. "Oh!" she cried out gloriously, as she bent forward, briefly pressing her forehead to Nicole's chest.

"It's kind of standard operating procedure when we got a four-oh-four on our hands," Nicole explained as she picked the bullet out of her vest. And when the Earp sisters looked at her like she was speaking Greek, she tossed the bullet aside, and expounded, "Bunch of crazy hicks off their rockers."

The comment made Waverly laugh through her tears.

"Finally picked the smart one," Wynonna declared, winking at her sister.

Offering Wynonna a grateful smile, Waverly directed her attention back to Nicole. Gently, she smoothed her hair. "I'm gonna get you to the hospital, okay?"

"No, no. I'm just a little bit bruised," Nicole insisted, her breathing still labored. "You gotta go with Wynonna and stop your sister." She glanced up at Wynonna then. "Sorry, but she's kind of a dickhead."

Wynonna certainly couldn't argue with that. "Wish Doc and Dolls were here," she deflected.

"They went to raid Shorty's," Nicole reported. "Somethin' 'bout an antidote."

Waverly looked up at Wynonna. "See?" she said. "Super smart."

Wynonna offered a slight smile and a nod of agreement. And then Waverly bent down, kissing Nicole, her hand gently caressing Nicole's face as she held her.

Not being one for public displays of affection, Wynonna grew suddenly unnerved. "Yeah, alright," she muttered. "Yeah, you guys do that." She was on her feet, moving across the room in a split second, as Waverly continued to kiss Nicole senseless.

Grasping Waverly's arm, Nicole gently broke their kiss, meeting her gaze. She looked as though she was about to say something profound, when Wynonna hit her in the head with Waverly's heavy winter coat.

"Time's up," Wynonna declared, causing both of them to laugh.

Nicole tilted her head back for a moment, and then she surged forward. "Go—," she insisted, kissing Waverly soundly again before releasing her to do what needed to be done. And as Waverly raced to catch up with Wynonna, Nicole watched after her, willing Waverly to return safely to her arms.

---

Sunday, June 19, 2016… The Earp Homestead—7:15 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

A few hours later—five of the longest she'd ever lived, in fact—Nicole pulled into the drive at the homestead, her entire being weary from the upheaval they had endured throughout the night. All she wanted in the world was to pull Waverly into her arms, to reassure herself that she and Wynonna were still all right in the wake of what had gone down at the gate. Details were sketchy, but somehow she knew that it was bad, and it only took one look into Waverly's eyes to validate her gut instincts.

"Oh, thank God, Nicole," Waverly exhaled breathlessly the moment she reached the driver's side door of Nicole's SUV. Nicole had called on her way, and Waverly was waiting for her on the front porch, just as anxious to see her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm bruised, and a little tender, but otherwise, I'm just fine. I promise," Nicole answered as she stepped out of the vehicle, her heavy boots shuffling on the sparse gravel.

Having finished the directives she received from Nedley after all hell broke loose at that party, Nicole dutifully completed and filed the required reports. Then, and only then, did she report having been shot by Willa Earp. It was completely against protocol—but sometimes, protocols needed to be broken. This was one of those times. Wynonna and Waverly deserved a fair opportunity to save their sister, despite her heinous behavior. It didn't matter that Nicole couldn't stand her. She was their sister, and she hoped that Waverly and Wynonna would extend the same courtesy, if ever their roles were reversed. It wasn't lost on her though, that she hadn't been quite so willing when it came to her own family.

Hypocrite much?

"I was so worried about you," Waverly confessed, as she gently smoothed her hands along the contours of Nicole's torso, reassuring herself that she was indeed all right. And then she wrapped her arms around Nicole, cleaving to her tightly. "I hated having to leave you there."

Drawing her into a protective embrace, Nicole brushed her lips lightly across Waverly's brow. "I'm right here, Baby," she whispered reassuringly. "I'm all right."

"Willa and Bobo are dead, and Dolls is gone," Waverly reported, her tone almost desperate as she held Nicole tightly.

"Gone where?" Nicole asked, looking alarmed. Nedley had given her a brief rundown of what had transpired, but even he didn't have any details. And Nicole knew it wasn't the time to ask—not about Willa, anyway. And so she stayed on steadier ground in asking about Dolls.

"Taken away by Agent Lucado," Waverly answered. "She charged him with treason for helping Wynonna."

"Oh, my god," Nicole gasped, understanding the dire consequences of that decision. "Wynonna and Doc?" She sounded worried.

"Both fine," Waverly reassured. "Shaken up, but fine."

"We should go see to her," Nicole said, knowing the elder Earp would likely be a complete train wreck. Wynonna was barely stable on a good day, let alone in the wake of losing both Willa and Dolls.

Peering up at her, Waverly shook her head. "Doc's taking care of her," she reported. "And... we should talk."

"Well, that sounds ominous," Nicole said guardedly. Something was really… off… about Waverly, but she couldn't really place it. Still, she went willingly when Waverly took her hand, entwining their fingers, as she led her inside and directly up the stairs to Willa's bedroom.

Once inside, Waverly closed the door, and wordlessly, she turned into Nicole's body. Wrapping her arms around Nicole's waist, she buried her face in Nicole's chest, savoring the nearness of her as if she were afraid she might never have it again.

Instinctively, Nicole pulled her close, and once again holding her protectively, she lightly kissed her temple. "What the hell happened out there?" she murmured quietly.

"Believe me, you don't wanna know," Waverly warned.

"Actually, I do," Nicole said with tender insistence.

"I can't, Nicole," Waverly frantically insisted. The weight of who her family was, and what that meant to those who loved them, bore down on her like an oppressive religion, threatening to crush her very soul. Tearing herself away from the security of Nicole's arms, her heart nearly shattered from the perceived loss, as she moved deliberately to put space between them. "I can't do this. Not with you." How could I ask you to stay?

"Can't do what?" Nicole looked as confused as she sounded. "Waverly, what are you talkin' about? You're not makin' any sense."

"My family is crazy," Waverly sobbed as she paced the floor aimlessly. "If you had any idea…"

"You mean about The Curse?" Nicole said evenly.

Stilled in her tracks, Waverly turned to her; an expression of shock crossed her features. "You know about that?"

Nicole nodded. "Yeah, I do," she said without judgement.

Waverly's brow furrowed. "How?"

"Doc," Nicole answered, in a tone that clearly conveyed that her answer should have been Waverly. "Finally makes sense now, all the weirdness with him," she commented offhandedly. "And I know all about Peacemaker and the demon Revenants, and all the other paranormal shit, too. And I'm still here."

"Well, you shouldn't be," Waverly insisted. "Christ, Nicole, I could've gotten you killed."

Delivered on a weary cry, Waverly's statement tore at Nicole's heart. Clearly, she was carrying guilt over things that were never her fault. Not that it surprised her. She should have known Waverly would take the responsibility onto herself. That's simply who she was—just like Wynonna. "You weren't the one holding the gun, Waverly," she gently corrected. "You had no control over what Willa did."

"I knew she was dangerous, Nicole," Waverly countered. "I should've done more to stop her."

"Like what?"

"I should've shot her myself when I had the chance," Waverly answered.

"Now you're just talkin' crazy," Nicole declared. "You don't have it in you to kill someone unprovoked."

"You sure about that?" Waverly challenged. The way she felt at the moment, she definitely could have pulled the trigger, especially after Bobo's bullshit about her not really being an Earp. She wasn't certain whether she believed him or not, but it didn't matter—the damage was done.

"I'm positive," Nicole said with surety.

"Well, I'm not," Waverly said. "And don't even get me started on what Wynonna is capable of when it's necessary," she said cryptically, her thoughts reflecting on how Wynonna had been forced to literally put their sister down like some sort of rabid animal. "Why would you put yourself through all of this?" She couldn't even fathom it. "You deserve so much better, Nicole."

"What I may, or may not deserve, is irrelevant," Nicole said firmly. "What matters is that I know you love me. I know you want me. And you are the one I want, in return," she declared, emphasizing exactly who she wanted. "You're the one I love, Waverly. Nothing matters more than that to me."

"Even if my family is insane?" Waverly said dryly.

Nicole barked out a laugh far sharper than she'd intended. "You think my family is sane?" she countered, her tone incredulous. If only Waverly knew the whole truth! But she didn't. And whose fault is that?

"Well, whatever's wrong with them, they've got nothing on us," Waverly said on a biting laugh. "We hunt demons and send them back to hell, for Christ's sake."

Slowly approaching, Nicole reached for her, lightly grasping her forearms. "We may not hunt demons, Sweetheart," she said softly. "But we have curses of our own."

"I got you shot, Nicole!" Waverly exclaimed. "My crazy, evil sister could've killed you."

"But she didn't, Baby. I'm right here," Nicole reminded gently. "And you didn't cause any of this."

"Guilt by association," Waverly murmured self-deprecatingly.

"I don't care about any of that," Nicole said reassuring. "I care about you. No—dammit, Waverly, I love you."

"I love you more," Waverly declared on a hoarse whisper. "That's why I can't do this to you. I can't ask you to be part of a family that…"

"That what, Waves?" Nicole gently pressed, her eyes searching seas of stormy green.

Waverly averted her gaze. "Willa turned on us, Nicole," she confessed. "Bobo did something to her, something that convinced her to cross the boundary with him so that he could escape. And when Wynonna tried to stop her, she went crazy. She held the gate open, and tried to kill Wynonna with Peacemaker. It didn't work for her anymore, because she'd turned, but the only way to free her was to shoot her, like she has to shoot the Revenants to break the Curse."

"Wynonna killed her…"

Delivered on a sobering exhale, Nicole's realization rocked her to her very core. It was just too fucking close to home, and she struggled to hold back the tears. She paused for a beat, and then she fought an internal battle to recover from the onslaught of emotions. It was a swift transition, as she was accustomed to navigating thanks to her military training, but not swift enough to be missed by Waverly.

"Are you all right, Nicole?" Waverly asked, concern etched in her expression that reflected in her tone as she gently touched Nicole's face.

"Yeah," Nicole said dismissively, shaking her head to dislodge the images. "It's nothing important."

"That's bullshit," Waverly declared, calling her on her crap. She knew Nicole far too well for that to fly. "What's wrong?"

"Okay, so it's not nothing," Nicole grudgingly admitted. "But it needs to wait. There's far more important shit going on right now."

The look in Nicole's eyes reflected the intensity of her voice, and Waverly knew to let it go… for now. "Okay," she relented. "But we'll talk about it later?" It wasn't a question.

Nodding in agreement, Nicole smiled. Gently, she took Waverly's face into her hands. "Know what makes us perfect together?"

Waverly released a soft laugh. Nicole always knew how to calm her. "What?"

"We're glass, Waverly."

"Glass?" Eyebrow arched, Waverly sounded perplexed.

"We both have stains and cracks," Nicole said in answer to the question in Waverly's soft tone. "But those imperfections, they make us stronger. They've shaped us into the two resilient women we are. We shine, despite all the times we've shattered, and when we let that light that glistens from deep inside us flow through the those cracks, illuminating one another, we create the most beautiful stained glass, you and I. That's what makes us a perfect match, Waves. We complement one another in so many ways. You're strong where I'm weak…"

Hope sprang anew, and a tremulous smile flickered across Waverly's lips. "And you're strong where I'm weak," she said, returning the compliment with equal regard.

"Exactly," Nicole smiled through tears. "And you're the one who finds the beauty in my stains and fits inside all of my cracks, the dark places that even I don't want to be, Waverly. I don't talk about them, but they're there. And somehow, you just know that, and you're not scared of it; just like I'm not scared of it in you, or your family. And most importantly, at least for me, you're the only one I've ever wanted inside the darkness with me."

Tears glistened in Waverly's eyes as the truth of Nicole's words settled deep inside her heart. "I want you to talk about them, Nicole. I want to be in those dark places with you," she quietly implored. "Just like you are for me."

Nicole sniffled as the tears streamed down her cheeks. "I wanna tell you everything. And I will," she vowed. "We just need to focus on you and Wynonna right now."

Waverly nodded in agreement. She knew instinctively that taking on anything else would feel overwhelming, and she was grateful that Nicole understood that. But she wouldn't let Nicole's truths linger unspoken for long. She simply needed to push through her own pain, get it all out, and then prepare herself for being whatever Nicole needed her to be.

Taking Nicole's hands into her own, she entwined their fingers as she closed her eyes. And then resting her forehead against Nicole's, she simultaneously released a soft sigh. "Theres something else I need to tell you," she said after several moments of comfortable silence.

"You can tell me anything, Waves," Nicole reassured.

Gently, Waverly squeezed Nicole's fingers that were still intertwined with her own, and then silently, she led her to Willa's bed. Nicole eased down onto the bed just behind her, and leaned forward, resting her chin on Waverly's shoulder, waiting.

Waverly drew in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. And then she swallowed hard, searching for the words, grateful when she finally found them. "I never understood why Willa hated me so much. She loved Wynonna with a fierceness that I get completely, because I love Wyn that same way. But Willa, she always hated me. I don't have a single memory of her that would convince me otherwise. And I always wondered what I had done. What was so awful about me that she couldn't love me too."

Nicole ached to console her, to quell her doubts, and ease her mind; but she knew that Waverly needed to finish what she'd started. And so Nicole offered a simple physical comfort—a hand resting against Waverly's thigh, her thumb lightly caressing as she waited patiently for her to continue.

"I, uh… I saw Bobo in the treehouse—the one where he kept Willa all those years," Waverly admitted.

"When?" Nicole asked gently.

"Early this morning," Waverly answered. "After Wynonna and I left you at the station. I went there, looking for answers. He showed up, I guess looking for Willa."

An ominous feeling fell over Nicole, and she shifted her hands to Waverly's biceps, gripping them solidly. "Did he hurt you, Waves?" she asked pointedly, afraid to hear the answer.

"Not physically, no," Waverly answered. "He never would," she said with a certainty she didn't quite understand.

"Then what did he say to you?" Nicole asked. "'Cause… I know that somethin's wrong. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it."

"He told me that I'm not really an Earp," Waverly shared, sniffing back tears. "Nicole, if that's true then, I don't know who the hell I am. I don't…"

"Whoa, whoa," Nicole said haltingly. "What makes you believe for even a second that he's telling the truth?"

"I don't know, Nicole," Waverly answered truthfully. "Something in my gut tells me he wasn't lying. It's the same feeling that makes me know he would never hurt me. And despite his threats otherwise, he would never hurt Wynonna or Willa either. Not physically anyway."

Processing Waverly's remarks, Nicole nodded. "Okay," she said acceptingly. "Well, there are things we can do to find out—if that's what you want."

Waverly looked at her, hope reflecting in her eyes. "I need to know the truth, Nicole," she said without hesitation. "But I… I can't say anything to Wynonna. Not until I find that truth."

"Then we'll find it," Nicole said with certainty. "Together."

A wave of love and gratitude welled up from deep within Waverly's soul in response to the promise in Nicole's words. Even in the face of absolute uncertainty, Nicole had a way of making her feel safe, secure, and most of all, loved. Smiling into those eyes that held so steadily to her own, she expressed that whirlwind of emotions to Nicole, first with whispered words, and then with kisses that lingered far longer than she had intended, but not nearly enough to satisfy the craving she felt for this woman in the very depths of her heart and soul.

---

Monday, June 20, 2016… Ghost River County Municipal Offices—7:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Wynonna Earp marched into the municipal offices where the Black Badge Division was located, an expression, equal parts devastation and determination, riddling her otherwise striking face, as she moved amidst the locals, warding off their stares. In her head, she knew their rancor was about the poisoning they falsely attributed to her. But in her heart and soul, she heard the resounding echo of their judgement of a far more heinous crime. It had been less than thirty-six hours since she's killed her own sister, and though in reality they knew nothing of it, still she felt the razor-sharp edge of their judgement slashing through what was left of her tattered soul.

"You're saying Wynonna Earp was Robert 'Bobo' Swain's jilted lover, and he poisoned the entire town?" the reporter was asking as Wynonna entered the bullpen.

"To get her attention," Sheriff Nedley confirmed. "See, Wynonna's not a flowers and chocolate kind of a girl."

Tilting his head, his gaze met Wynonna's as she stood behind the reporter, biding her time.

"Do you anticipate charging Earp as an accessory after the fact?" the reporter inquired, as the male reporter who stood beside her continued to scribble wordlessly.

"We're weighing the evidence, considering our options," Nedley said noncommittally. "Thanks, Pam."

"So no parade down Main Street in my honor then?" Wynonna asked sarcastically as the woman turned to leave.

The reporter said nothing in return. Instead, she just stared her down like the rest of the town as she stepped backwards out the door.

"I'd settle for a smoothie and one sad stripper," Wynonna muttered to herself as she approached the dispatch desk where Nedley stood.

"Look, the town needed a plausible, non-supernatural explanation for what happened," Nedley reasoned. "And they already hate you, so…"

Wynonna leaned against the desk as she listened to Nedley's line of bullshit. "They really do," she agreed with a sigh.

"Earp, you may be the hero that Purgatory deserves—but you're just not the one it needs right now," Nedley said.

"Big Batman fan, huh?" Wynonna snarked.

"Hell, no," Nedley denied, looking contemplative. "When that franchise lost Uma Thurman, they lost Randy Nedley for good."

"You truly are a monster," Wynonna said accusingly.

Craning his neck to make sure he wouldn't be overheard, Nedley returned to meet Wynonna's gaze, holding it steadily. "Well… I'm a monster who knows what you sacrificed to save this town."

Genuinely taken aback by the sincerity and concern in his tone, Wynonna shifted her gaze, avoiding eye contact with him. She looked contemplative, and then, she was sniffing.

"Don't get all emotional on me…" Nedley said, clearly uncomfortable with the mere thought.

Wynonna made a face. "No, Nedley, it's—" She leaned close. "It's that smell."

"Oh, yeah, they found a dead possum in the vents," Nedley suddenly recalled.

Blue eyes widened, a dumbfounded expression taking over Wynonna's face as she processed the comment. "They who?" she demanded, her tone ominous.

When Nedley told her about Black Badge cronies swooping in after creating the antidote, boxing up and taking all of Dolls' things, she rushed straight to the Black Badge offices, flinging the door wide open. And there she stood, watching people in hazmat suits either packing up or destroying everything she, Dolls, and Waverly had amassed during their time together.

It wasn't enough that she'd lost Willa, or that Dolls had been taken away. It wasn't even enough that Doc was distancing himself from her, or that Waverly was moving on with Nicole. Now they had to take her purpose away—the one thing in the world that made her matter.

She felt crushed.

Devastated.

Profoundly sad.

And completely, and utterly alone.

---

Sunday, June 19, 2016… The Earp Homestead—8:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

"My poor, brave baby," Waverly soothed as gently, she dabbed coconut oil on Nicole's bruise.

Torn, Nicole laughed softly. The movement of Waverly's fingertips on her skin kind of excited her—and kind of hurt. Glancing up, she met that caring gaze. "We sure do a lot of patching each other up these days," she commented.

"Yeah…" Waverly readily agreed, a roguish grin hijacking her lips. "When there are so many other things that we should be doing," she intoned, her intention clear. Nicole looked so beautiful in that cropped sweater that she wore, the deep blue bringing out the color in her eyes. It took every ounce of willpower Waverly possessed not to ravage her right there on the kitchen table.

Slowly, Nicole searched Waverly's eyes. And then she smiled, as Waverly moved into her space. The kiss that followed was swift and passionate as Waverly's hands rested first against Nicole's neck and face, and later, as her right hand slid down over a breast, slipping beneath that soft blue sweater to cup it gently in her palm. She loved the way Nicole's full breasts felt in her hands, and Nicole certainly never minded the attention.

"Ah!" Nicole winced when Waverly's hand brushed against her bruise. And then she felt the loss as that hand quickly moved away. Nicole gently replaced it with her own, pressing lightly.

"I'm sorry," Waverly was quick to apologize, as she gently placed her hand over Nicole's, regretful to have caused her any pain.

"Sorry… Still tender," Nicole explained, disappointment reflected in her eyes. "Hey, Waves…" she said after pausing for a beat as Waverly caressed her hand.

"What?" Waverly whispered as she watched a swirl of unexpected emotions play across Nicole's face.

"You taste… different," Nicole said, licking her own lips.

Grinning, Waverly moved closer, casually draping her arms over Nicole's shoulders. "New toothpaste," she said, brushing her mouth against Nicole's in a brief, yet effective kiss. "Wynonna bought it. You like?"

Nicole chuckled softly, her hands finding and grasping Waverly's waist. "I could kiss you all day long," she declared.

Wrapping her arms fully around Nicole's neck, Waverly leaned into the solid strength of Nicole's body, and smiled. "By all means…" she intoned, as she moved in, kissing her again.

This time, the kiss was slow and deep, and she thrilled at the sensation of Nicole's tongue gliding against her own. Nicole's kisses did things to her that she couldn't even describe, and she wondered, not for the first time, what that skillful tongue would feel like in other places on her body. The mere contemplation of it caused her clitoris to twitch sharply between her legs, as she felt herself grow impossibly wet with want of this woman who had come along when she least expected it, and rocked her entire world in the most inconceivable way.

The clearing of his throat warned of Doc's arrival as he entered the kitchen. "I'm just here for the sweet tea. In the kitchen," he said playfully opened the refrigerator, removing the glass pitcher with tea. "I am now in the kitchen."

Amused, Waverly released Nicole from their kiss, grinning. Lightly, she brushed a hand along Nicole's bicep as she moved around her. "When did you become such a prude, huh?" she teased. "Didn't you own… a brothel?"

Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, Doc poured his tea. "It was a bordello," he corrected. "And it is called being a gentleman."

Nicole's lower lip still tingled from Waverly's kisses, and she skimmed a thumb across it. Chuckling at Doc's response, she turned toward him. "Well, I appreciate it, Henry," she acknowledged. He'd become quite adept at making himself scarce in an effort to afford them more privacy since stumbling upon them in the bar a few days ago. "I'm gonna go… feed the cat," she announced.

Glancing at her, Waverly offered a smile in response. She knew as well as Nicole, that Stormy had plenty of food in her bowl, but she recognized Nicole's departure for what it was—an opening for Waverly and Doc to discuss their concerns about Wynonna. Waverly loved that about her—that while Nicole knew they all regarded her as family, and that her opinions were valued, she didn't feel the need to smother Waverly with her presence. Nicole was almost always at the homestead when she wasn't at work—at Waverly's invitation, of course. But she didn't hover or invade her space the way Champ always had. She went about doing her own thing, but always made herself available if Waverly sought her out. And she was always accepting of the same from Waverly, in return.

As Nicole walked behind her, Waverly grasped her arm, allowing her hand to glide lightly along her sleeve as she moved away. They shared another glance, another smile. "I'll see you later," she said, and then Nicole nodded at Doc.

"Officer Haught," Doc said politely. And then he chastised himself internally for his formality. Nicole was family now, to him as well, and he needed to work on expressing that, for all their sakes. "She's a lovely girl," he commented to Waverly.

"Yeah… which makes me the luckiest," Waverly declared, as Doc took a seat at the table.

"What about the rest of it?" Doc asked, his glass of sweet tea in hand. "How are you holdin' up?"

Packing up the first aid kit, Waverly took a moment to think before answering. "You know, I don't think that Wynonna's even sat down since…" She couldn't bring herself to say the words. "I'm worried about her."

"As am I," Doc agreed with a nod. "But I was askin' more particularly about yourself, Waverly," he said pointedly. "Willa was your sister too."

"I feel fine," Waverly was quick to respond, a means of denial. "Yeah. Actually, I… I feel strong."

"Well, good," Doc declared. "That's good. And we both know Wynonna can handle herself."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Waverly commented dryly.

Doc arched an eyebrow. "Meanin'?"

"Her way of handling things usually involves way too much whiskey, and a hell of a lot of trouble," Waverly answered, her expression grim.

"Well, then I suppose we must be vigilant, yet shrewd, in lookin' after her," Doc declared, knowing they could never let Wynonna catch wind of their efforts.

Thankful for Doc's unspoken promise of help, Waverly nodded. "Agreed."

---

Saturday, June 25, 2016… The Homestead—11:15 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

The week that followed was exhausting on every level—physically, mentally, and emotionally—starting with a plan to rescue Dolls that resulted in freeing him, but not in getting him back, and inadvertently causing a momentary rift between Waverly and Nicole in the process—and ending with a private memorial for Willa out where the poplar tree once was, in the place where they played as children; near the archway, where she drew her final breath.

It was surreal, saying goodbye to Willa again, this time without the scores of townsfolk there to bear witness to their mourning. They couldn't, of course, because no one could tell the story of how she had died. Not this time, anyway. And it was better that way, because Wynonna was in no condition to even deal with it herself, let alone have to shoulder the burden of sorrow that would be laid upon her in listening to their well-meaning, but pain-filled condolences—or worse, their accusations that she was a murderer.

And though her burden wasn't the same, still, Waverly felt the weight of it as well, and she was beyond grateful not to be forced to bear the full brunt of it the way Wynonna did. More than anything though, she was grateful to have Nicole, steadfastly by her side.

"You doin' all right, Waves?" Nicole asked, her tone soft as they lay propped up against a pile of pillows at the headboard of Waverly's bed. Gently, she stroked Waverly's hair, affectionately kissing her temple.

Waverly shifted, tucking herself more securely against Nicole's side, and instinctively, Nicole gathered her closer. "It's still a lot to process," Waverly said, draping an arm loosely across Nicole's lap. "But I feel stronger with you here beside me."

"As long as you want me, I will be right here by your side," Nicole promised.

Delivered on a whisper, Nicole's declaration reminded Waverly of a few days before, when she and Nicole were in the barn, prepping for Dolls' rescue. Nicole had been so sweet, so loving and supportive, and Waverly felt, not for the first time, like the luckiest woman in the world.

"Hey, you gonna be okay with this?" Nicole had asked as she stood from the crouched position where she was rifling through the weapons Dolls had given them. "You and I, working side by side for Black Badge?"

"Hmm… having to stare at your gorgeous smile and pretty French braid around the conference table—" Waverly intoned, grinning flirtatiously at Nicole.

"Actually, I'm thinking of cutting it," Nicole interjected, a means of deflecting the compliment that left her blushing.

"Think I'll manage..." Waverly finished adoringly, drawing another bashful blush from Nicole.

A few moments later, when Nicole asked to be clued into the plan, Waverly felt horrible having to deny her request. "Wynonna made me promise," she explained.

Aggravated, Nicole looked away.

Waverly moved closer, needing to maintain their connection. "She's my sister, Nicole," she said, appealing to Nicole's sense of sisterly bonding. She understood what it meant to not betray a sibling who needed her. "I have to protect her now more than ever."

Disappointed, but knowing how vulnerable Wynonna was at the moment, Nicole nodded as Waverly moved closer still. "Hey..." Waverly said softly, as she tipped Nicole's chin. "Just like I need to protect you," she declared, brushing a tender hand along Nicole's left arm.

"Yeah, okay," Nicole granted. Though she didn't need protection, she understood Waverly's need to provide it anyway. She grasped Waverly's arms then, contemplating her words. "I just… I just wanna make sure you're okay, you know, that… that deep down, you're still… my Waverly," she said, emphasizing who Waverly was and what she meant to her.

"Totally," Waverly said with a reassuring smile. Reaching for her, she took Nicole's face into her hands, kissing her tenderly. And in that moment, Waverly understood just exactly what she meant to Nicole—and how much Nicole meant to her. It was something far deeper than love; it was a connection of souls that would outlast eternity.

The realization had rocked her then, just as it did when her thoughts returned to the present, to Nicole, and to the indescribable sense of belonging she'd found in Nicole's arms. Glancing up, she met that steady russet gaze; the one that was always there to catch her. "I will always want you, Nicole," she whispered in promise. "Don't ever doubt that."

The sincerity in Waverly's voice made Nicole's heart stop. She knew it was the truth. And when Waverly leaned close, kissing her tenderly, she felt the power of that truth being imparted into the depths of her very soul.

When Waverly released her from their kiss, her memory flashed to Nicole's mention of cutting her hair, and she smiled. Reaching up, she threaded her fingers through those short, thick locks, loving the way it felt in her hand. "Have I mentioned how totally sexy you are with this short hair?" she said huskily. "This cut is so damned flattering on you."

Nicole blushed at the compliment. "I'm glad you like it," she beamed.

"I don't just like it, Nicole," Waverly said, using the fingers that were tangled in it to pull Nicole in for another kiss. "I love it. And I love you."

Smiling, Nicole kissed her again. "I love you," she whispered.

"I wish life could always be as easy as it feels right here in this moment," Waverly said, waxing philosophical. "I mean, all the bullshit we've been through, it's such, well… bullshit. And we never even got to have our night, Nicole," she pouted, shades of sadness and disappointment edging her profound sense of grief, as she leaned into the solid strength of Nicole's body again.

She didn't grieve for the loss of the Willa who had returned to them, but rather, the loss of what could have been, not just for Willa, but for all of them as a family. And more than any of that, she grieved deeply for Wynonna, and the impossible burden that she bore in the taking of their sister's life. "I just don't understand why this has to be so hard," she sighed, frustration coiling like a spring deep inside her.

"Which part?" Nicole asked, attempting to parse out Waverly's feelings. Wynonna was devastated, inconsolably so; and Waverly, restless, in a way that was completely uncharacteristic. There was so much going on inside her that Nicole couldn't even begin to fathom the complexities of her emotions.

After all that had happened in the wake of Bobo's nefarious party, Nicole was grateful to Nedley for allowing her the time from work to be there for Waverly, Wynonna, and Gus. He brushed it off as simply being "protocol" given the fact that she'd been shot while on the job, but Nicole knew better. It was a gesture of support for her, and the relationships she was building with the Earp family. She was struck by unexpected emotions, just in knowing that he had her back. It was… validating… in the most surprising way. But again, it evoked far too many emotions for her to grapple with at the moment, given all she was dealing with at the homestead. And sadly, despite his support in allowing her to be there for them, and the valiant efforts she, and Waverly, and Doc made to offer comfort and reassurance, Wynonna would hear nothing of it. She hadn't stopped moving for a moment since Willa's death, and Nicole was growing increasingly concerned about her.

"All of it," Waverly declared. "Willa's death, and Wynonna's guilt, Dolls' disappearance, and Bobo's..." Christ. She didn't even know what to call that! All she knew was that she was terrified she might lose the only identity she'd ever known; difficult as it may have been to live with it. "And… the frickin' curse that plagues our family. And don't get me started on the endless roadblocks we've faced, just trying to be together. Dammit, Nicole, I just want a normal life."

The part that she didn't dare say aloud was that she wanted that life with Nicole. It still felt strange to her, that longing to truly share her life with another. She'd never experienced that with Champ. In fact, the mere thought of it terrified the hell out of her. She'd always been grateful that he never asked. And then she met Nicole, and her whole world changed in the most beautiful of ways.

"I want that too," Nicole commiserated. And I want it with you, she thought, but didn't dare vocalize. It was far too soon for that, she reasoned.

She remembered a time when commitment was the furthest thing from her mind. Not that she didn't want it, but she was young, and enjoyed the sense of freedom that came with being unattached. But playing the field grew old really quickly, leaving her feeling empty inside. That emptiness might have consumed her as she watched Kyler falling in love with Kendalyn, if not for her decision to join the Marines, finding a real purpose for her life.

It wasn't that she was ever in love with Kendalyn; that couldn't have been further from the truth. They were never a good match, but Kendalyn was perfect for Kyler, and she was happy for them both. But as she watched her sister falling in love, she found that she longed for that same sense of connection with another person. Sadly, it never happened. Not with anyone she dated. So she simply stopped trying, choosing instead to focus on her career, first as a Marine, and later, as a cop. That decision had served her well, until…

Well, that didn't really matter anymore.

The only thing that mattered now was Waverly. When she met Waverly Earp, her entire world tilted on its axis, giving her the first real glimpse at how beautiful a genuine connection could feel. And that only made her want it more.

"I know it's frustrating, Waves," Nicole empathized, her fingers absently threading through Waverly's soft tresses. "And I'm so sorry for everything you're goin' through right now. You know I'd do anything to fix it, if I could."

"Just knowing you're willing is enough, Love," Waverly declared. "Your support means everything to me."

"You'll always have it, Waves," Nicole vowed. "And I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but everything's gonna be okay," she reassured, pressing a kiss to Waverly's hair as she pulled her close again. "We just have to give it some time. We've got plenty of it. You said so yourself."

"Do we?" Waverly was beginning to question her theory. "We've already lost so much time, Nicole," she said, her tone melancholy.

Needing reassurance, she slipped her arm across Nicole's abdomen again, drawing closer to her. And understanding the tacit message, Nicole tightened her hold in response. Willa's death was affecting Waverly far more profoundly than either of them ever would have imagined, and Nicole understood that without need of explanation. She'd noticed the shift in her immediately after hearing about what had happened out there in the dark.

Conflicting as it was, Willa's death reminded Waverly of the fleeting nature of time—a lesson she should have learned as a child when she lost first Mama, and then Daddy.

Well, that is if she was actually an Earp.

She was beginning to wonder if Bobo was telling the truth. Maybe that was why Willa was always to mean and hateful toward her. Had Willa sensed the truth, even as a child? Not that she cared. She hated Willa, not for the pain she had suffered at Willa's hands, but for what she had done to Wynonna, forcing her to make an impossible choice. "Fuck Willa for taking that from us," she barked.

"You don't mean that," Nicole cautioned, her heart breaking for all of them. She couldn't stand Willa—with good reason—but she didn't want Waverly, Wynonna, and Gus to suffer such gut-wrenching loss. She couldn't even imagine losing a sister, and they had lost Willa, not once, but twice. And in the wake of that loss, she didn't want Waverly to have any regrets.

"I'm not so sure about that," Waverly challenged. And then she glanced up, her eyes slowly scanning Nicole's beautiful face. Just looking at her was akin to experiencing an fusion of art, poetry, and the most beautiful music Waverly had ever heard. "But I don't want to think about her right now," she whispered. "I want to focus on us."

Smiling down at her, Nicole kissed her tenderly. "I like the way you think," she declared, gazing into Waverly's eyes. She loved the way they danced in the candlelight that illuminated the room. Feeling the need to relax, Waverly had lit several of them before crawling onto her bed, encouraging Nicole to join her.

"You told Wynonna that you love me," Nicole whispered in awe a few moments later. She still couldn't believe it.

"I honestly don't know why I didn't tell her sooner," Waverly sighed. Except for her momentary response of confusion and surprise, which were completely understandable, Wynonna hadn't even flinched when Waverly admitted she was in love with Nicole. What on earth ever made her doubt her sister's unshakable support? It was a question that had plagued her from the moment she'd revealed her truth.

"The only thing that matters is that she knows now, and we don't have to hide anymore," Nicole reassured. "Not from anyone."

Steadily, Waverly held Nicole's gaze. "No," she husked, tilting her head in that adorable way of hers, as she smiled into Nicole's eyes. "We don't…"

Delivered on a husky whisper, Waverly's intent was absolutely clear. Nicole offered a quiet smile, and then leaned down, brushing a tender kiss across a welcoming mouth. The kiss that followed was far too ephemeral for Waverly's liking, so she reached out, drawing Nicole near again. They lingered for several long moments; mouths open, nearly touching, poised for another kiss, simply breathing one another in before Waverly closed the distance, passionately claiming Nicole's mouth.

Several minutes passed, their kisses growing slower, more deliberate, infinitely more sensual, and purposefully arousing, and when they finally parted, breaths labored, their eyes locked again—frolicking leaves against strong, solid bark—holding steadily, as they shared another smile, this one tremulous.

"Are you certain?" Nicole whispered, sincere russet eyes slowly scanning Waverly's beautiful, expressive face. She couldn't help but notice the slight shiver of anticipation that rippled through Waverly's body, and she bit her own bottom lip in response to keep it from trembling, expectation growing steadily within her as she awaited Waverly's response.

"I've never been more certain of anything in my entire life, Nicole," Waverly whispered with conviction. And then she was moving impossibly closer to her, and Nicole's heart thrummed in her chest, matching the rhythm of Waverly's own, as Waverly pressed against her.

Settling into her lap, her knees astride Nicole's thighs, Waverly gathered Nicole's face in her hands. "I love you," she whispered, kissing her with a tenderness that nearly broke Nicole's heart. "And I don't want another moment to go by without being with you."

The depths of Nicole's love for Waverly reflected in the tears that filled her eyes, and cradling Waverly's face in her hands, she kissed first her forehead, and then her nose, and throat, and chin, before covering her mouth in a kiss that lingered far longer than she'd intended, and yet, still felt woefully fleeting as she suffered the loss of their connection. "I love you so much, Waverly Earp," she whispered, almost breathlessly. "And I don't wanna wait another minute to be with you."

"Oh, thank God," Waverly exhaled, the grin on her face decidedly roguish as she casually draped her arms over Nicole's shoulders. "Now, would you please put your mad skills to use, and get me out of these clothes, Officer Haught?" she said playfully, an attempt to quell the sense of urgency that struck her the moment she realized it was finally going to happen.

Suddenly very nervous, Nicole released a quavering laugh and her body trembled with expectation as she reached for Waverly, gently brushing her hands along Waverly's arms. And then she leaned in, their mouths grazing in a light kiss.

"That would be my absolute pleasure," she whispered, their gaze locking again, and never faltering as her fingers slowly unbuttoned Waverly's shirt, her movements confident, precise.

The shirt was new, Nicole could tell. And it was dark, yet colorful, bringing out the variegated hues—greens and browns with tiny flecks of copper—in Waverly's beautiful eyes, and though the soft fabric fit loosely, it clung to her body in all the right ways, leaving Nicole breathless at the very sight of her. But that was nothing compared to the beauty she knew lay cloaked beneath.

The sweet amalgam of nervous excitement quivered deep within Waverly's core as her own fingertips simultaneously fumbled with the buttons on Nicole's shirt. She loved the way Nicole looked in button-downs; so fresh, and crisp, and sexy, even after a long day at work. But she loved the way Nicole looked without a shirt even more. She'd been mesmerized by her body from the first moment Nicole revealed herself to her, and she couldn't imagine that fascination ever waning.

Once completely undone, Nicole peeled the light, silky shirt from Waverly's shoulders, allowing it to fall aimlessly to the floor. It was like unwrapping a gift that she knew she would treasure forever. Taking a moment to appreciate her gift, she smiled into Waverly's eyes. And then she leaned forward, lightly skimming her mouth along the taut cord of muscles in Waverly's neck, along a powerful shoulder, and down to the gentle slope of Waverly's right breast as she unfastened the front hook on her bra, tossing it aside. Then, returning to that soft, inviting mouth, she kissed her deeply, her hands finding Waverly's breasts in that very moment, earning her a low groan of appreciation as she caressed them, thrilling at the way those delicate nipples pebbled beneath her palms.

"Door locked?" Nicole murmured, as their mouths connected in a series of slow, sultry kisses. Her body was on fire, and Waverly's touch was the only hope for extinguishing the flame—after they stoked it into a raging inferno, of course.

Breaking their physical connection just long enough to strip Nicole's tank top over her head, Waverly dropped it onto the floor along with that striking blue button-down that brought out the color of her eyes. And then she made quick work of removing the sexy black bra that lay beneath, encumbering her from reaching what she wanted. And once it was gone, she thrilled at the sight of Nicole's bare breasts, getting lost in her for a moment as her fingertips played lightly across Nicole's nipples, drawing a sharp gasp in response.

And then remembering that Nicole had asked her a question, she nodded. "Uh-huh," she breathed, reclaiming Nicole's mouth with her own as she welcomed the sensation of capable hands closing around her breasts again. "Phone off?"

"Mm-hmm…" Nicole hummed, nodding her confirmation as their kisses continued, growing increasingly frenzied. Sliding her hands away from Waverly's breasts, she earned a grunt of disapproval. And then she was unsnapping Waverly's jeans, which garnered a sound that was… decidedly opposite.

Grinning against Waverly's mouth, she yanked on them, pulling them, along with Waverly's sexy black panties, down her thighs, quickly discarding them onto the growing pile of clothing on the floor beside the bed. "Wynonna?"

"Down for the count," Waverly replied breathlessly as she unbuckled Nicole's belt, causing Nicole's breath to shudder and catch as she yanked forcefully and stripped it away in a single fluid motion. "Gus gave her a valium so she'd sleep tonight."

And then her fingers were on Nicole's fly, drawing a desirous gasp from those soft, supple lips that kissed her with such passion, as she slowly lowered it far enough to slip her hands inside, along the curve of shapely hips. Tugging at them from the inside, she urged Nicole to lift those hips, and then she shoved them down, unceremoniously tossing them aside, along with Nicole's underwear, leaving them both completely exposed in the most intimate of ways.

"No distractions tonight, Babe. I promise," Waverly said with confidence, reclaiming Nicole's mouth with her own as she shifted to straddle her thighs once again—this time, without a single barrier between them. God, Nicole's body felt amazing against her!

"No distractions," Nicole readily agreed as she slipped her hands beneath Waverly's bare ass, loving the feel of that soft skin against her palms as she caressed and squeezed.

Waverly cursed out her pleasure, and then she shifted into action, taking Nicole completely off-guard, not only with her movement, but with her clear intent on getting down to business.

"Hey, whoa, slow down," Nicole said on a breathless laugh, as she worked to settle Waverly for a moment. There were things that clearly needed to be said, not for Nicole's sake—she was good with whatever way things happened—but for Waverly's. "There's no rush here, Baby. We've got all night."

"I'm so sorry, Nicole," Waverly said penitently. "I didn't mean to…"

"Oh, n-n-n-no, that's not what I meant," Nicole said soothingly, as she brushed a gentle hand along Waverly's bicep. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's just that… I need you to understand some things, okay?"

Searching Nicole's eyes, Waverly nodded in agreement as she leaned back, sitting on Nicole's thighs as she straddled them. She trusted Nicole, implicitly, and she was willing to learn whatever it was that Nicole needed. What she found in Nicole's words though, was something completely unexpected, and overwhelmingly beautiful…

"If you like bein' in control, I'm more than okay with that," Nicole said sincerely, knowing from offhanded references Waverly had made to sex with Champ that she'd often been forced to take control, or be left woefully unsatisfied. "Sometimes, that is…" she intoned, with a grin that made Waverly laugh softly. "But I want you to understand, you don't have to be. Not with me. Trust me, okay? Neither of us will be left wanting…" And then she offered that roguish grin. "Well, except in a good way."

Waverly laughed again, and then her voice fell quiet. "I'm just… I'm not used to…" Her words trailing off, she bit her upper lip and shrugged, allowing her vulnerability to show.

"Shh…" Nicole gently hushed, feathering a kiss across soft lips. "Whatever you've been used to, it won't be that way anymore. I promise you, Waves, I will give you anything you want. Everything you need."

The sincerity in Nicole's tone as she declared her vows, made Waverly's breath catch, and she felt the threat of tears stinging her eyes. "You can't be real," she murmured softly as she slowly searched those clear russet eyes that looked at her so adoringly.

"Oh, I promise you, I am very real," Nicole murmured breathlessly, her hands moving to Waverly's face. "And I love you, Waverly Earp. So much so that... words fail."

A faint smile flickered across Waverly's lips as she searched Nicole's eyes. And then she rose up on her knees, hovering over her as she cradled Nicole's face in her hands. "I love you, Nicole," she whispered, before covering Nicole's mouth with her own. It was a kiss of invitation, and Nicole willingly accepted, both of them allowing instinct to take over.

Their mouths never parted as Nicole lifted her just slightly, and rocking backward to shift onto her knees, she immediately twisted and leaned forward, gently lowering her down onto the bed. It was so smoothly executed that Waverly gasped excitedly when she suddenly found Nicole hovering over her as they kissed.

Waverly's tongue lightly grazed Nicole's, deepening the kiss as Nicole shifted to the side, allowing the hand that wasn't tangled in Waverly's long, silky tresses to roam freely. And when their mouths finally parted, Nicole took her time, her eyes slowly traversing the landscape of Waverly's naked body. She was positively breathtaking, her body a symphony of hard muscle and voluptuous curves that merged together in perfect harmony under the soft glow of candlelight. Nicole couldn't wait to touch and taste every last inch of her, inside and out.

Slowly, her hands danced over Waverly's skin, the tips of her fingers gently following as she explored the swell of ample breasts, across the solidness of those toned abs, delighting at the way Waverly's body twitched beneath her touch, before moving down to the curve of her hip, dipping into the hollow of her pelvis where she lingered, her thumb caressing mere inches away from that glorious thatch of finely manicured curls.

Waverly's body was a glorious work of art, and Nicole wanted nothing more than to drown in the beauty of her. And then, sliding up again, she returned to those waiting breasts, her thumbs lightly brushing the underside of achingly taut nipples, as she claimed Waverly's mouth in another deep, lingering kiss.

The sensation of Nicole's fingertips moving slowly across her skin made Waverly quiver in places she didn't even realize she could. No one in her life had ever touched her so tenderly, so reverently, and within minutes her body was bursting with a need so unquenchable she thought she might actually pass out.

And they were just getting started.

Gratified by Waverly's passionate responses, Nicole smiled. She hadn't even touched her with anything but her fingertips, and already, she was certain Waverly was about to explode. Not that Nicole couldn't relate, because frankly, she could've easily joined her. But she didn't want to rush. She wanted to savor every moment, every touch, every breath, every sound, taking Waverly slowly to the brink, and far, far beyond.

"This is really happening, isn't it?" Waverly panted, as Nicole slowly skimmed her mouth across an ample breast, awestruck by the soft murmurs and involuntary cries that slipped from those perfect lips, as her breathing grew increasingly labored in response to the light suckling of her nipple. She could hardly believe it was true.

Neither could Nicole, who smiled in response, that dimple blooming as she met Waverly's gaze. "It is," she confirmed, desire rising steadily inside her. She was genuinely shocked by the intensity of her own need for this woman—almost to the point of being frightened by it. Never in her life had she experienced desire that ran so deep, or lingered so persistently. It was such a beautiful thing. "But if you change your mind, Waves… if you don't like somethin', or wanna stop, you gotta let me know, okay?"

"I don't want to stop, Nicole," Waverly said with conviction. "I'll never want to stop. Not with you." The slight catch in her tone as she uttered those three final words said that she had wanted to stop with… someone else, and that realization nearly broke Nicole's heart.

"I want this to be so, so good for you," Nicole breathed, the heat of her mouth, that smooth, silky tongue, riding the edge of Waverly's other breast. Rising over the crest, she made her way to an equally eager nipple, already tight with need of her, and taking it into her mouth, she tongued lightly around its edges until Waverly's hips began to stir.

It was already light years ahead of anything else she'd ever experienced. She couldn't imagine what could be any better, but she was certain Nicole would be more than willing to show her. The last time they were together like this, Nicole had gotten her so worked up that she'd exploded in the most intense orgasm she'd ever had—self-induced, or otherwise. It was so powerful that Nicole had actually come along with her.

And now, Nicole was exploring her body again, this time with absolute abandon, touching her in places she'd never ventured before, and Waverly felt overwhelmed in the most exquisite way. It felt as though Nicole's mouth and hands were everywhere, all at once, transforming her entire body into a quivering mass of nerve endings and need that twitched and tingled in the most delightful places, and the most intense of ways.

Leaving that nipple, Nicole grinned at Waverly's protesting moan. She curved her hand around the edge of that breast, her thumb lightly grazing the nipple, occupying it as she kissed her way back to its partner, taking it into her mouth.

Waverly cried out, her mind rendered nearly useless as sensation replaced all thought, and her hips surged forward again from the pleasure of Nicole's mouth on her breast.

"Jesus, Nicole…" she whimpered, her fingers tightening in those short, thick auburn locks at the base of Nicole's neck as she held Nicole's mouth firmly against her breast. Her body surged forward in response to the flicking of Nicole's tongue, and she groaned. "It already is…"

Meeting Waverly's gaze, Nicole smiled around that nipple. "Oh, Baby, just you wait…" she whispered in promise. "We've barely gotten started."

Waverly's breath caught at the promise in Nicole's voice, and her body shuddered in anticipation. "I can't take much more, Nicole," she whimpered pleadingly. "Jesus, I'm so fucking wet for you…"

Nicole's breath hitched, and her clitoris twitched sharply as it stiffened. "God, I can't wait to feel you," she whispered hoarsely as she finally abandoned Waverly's breast, returning first to her neck where she lingered, delighting in the way Waverly's pulse tripped beneath her tongue, before seeking that sweet mouth. Gently, she rolled Waverly toward her as they kissed, bringing their bodies together, flesh on flesh, connected along every toned muscle and silky smooth plane, they melded together as though they were two halves of the same whole.

Waverly gasped at the sensation of Nicole's breasts, those hard prominent nipples, pressing against her own as Nicole pulled her flush against her own body. And then she groaned when Nicole wrapped her arm around her waist and tilted her own pelvis, effortlessly rolling them over. A toned thigh slipping smoothly between her own, Waverly groaned, as their flesh erupted in a perfectly harmonized symphony of desire, too long denied.

"You feel so good," Waverly breathed into their kiss, her voice hoarse with urgency as Nicole's thigh grazed against her with just the right pressure, at exactly the right place to make her crazy. It didn't help that Nicole was unfathomably hard and wet. She could feel the urgency of Nicole's own need coating her thigh as Nicole moved against her. Clutching to Nicole, her fingernails dug into the tender flesh of strong, muscular shoulders as her own clitoris twitched and throbbed in response. She couldn't even imagine how intense it would feel when Nicole finally touched her.

Releasing a slow groan, Nicole's breathing turned ragged as she drew Waverly's tongue into the depths of her mouth, suckling it until Waverly's body writhed beneath her own. And when finally, Waverly couldn't stand even one more moment of the pressure that surged and ached between her legs, she wedged her hand between their bodies, skin slick with sweat, and slowly glided her hand down toward the source of her greatest need.

Shifting her weight to the side, but leaving a thigh draped over Waverly's, Nicole met her gaze, holding it steadily as she reached for her, gently touching her hand. "Let me?" she entreated, wanting nothing more than to finally be the one to release her.

A tremulous smile played across Waverly's mouth. She swallowed hard, and then she nodded. "Yes…" she breathed, her heart tripping in her chest. Every inch of her body, every pore, hummed with arousal, begging for release. "Jesus, yes. I need you to touch me, Nicole."

That dimple bloomed, and Nicole bit her bottom lip as she searched those eyes. Once a mesmerizing shade of green, they were now dark, coppery in color. It was a shade Nicole recognized from when Waverly was angry, and now, she knew, without a doubt, when she was extremely aroused. And in that moment, with Waverly looking at her with those eyes, so dark with desire, and the sound of that sultry voice whispering in her ear, Nicole Haught forgot every single reason why she ever tried to deny her boundless love and unquenchable desire for this woman.

Covering Nicole's hand with her own, Waverly's gaze never faltered as she intertwined their fingers, and then slowly, she moved them exactly where she ached for Nicole's touch. "Please?" she whispered hoarsely, her eyes flashing with unbridled want.

Breath catching in her chest, Nicole offered a tremulous smile as Waverly removed her own hand, giving Nicole free reign. Lightly, Nicole allowed her fingertips to graze the soft finely pared patch of curls at the apex of Waverly's toned thighs. It was darker than the long tresses she so loved to gather in her hands, and infinitely wet with the undeniable evidence of Waverly's desire for her.

The sensation of Nicole's fingertips feathering lightly across her sensitive flesh drew a soft cry of delight from Waverly's lips, and willingly, she opened to her—an invitation Nicole was more than eager to accept. She didn't have to ask how Waverly liked to be touched. She'd been gifted a perfect vantagepoint the last time Waverly made herself come in Nicole's arms. The view was breathtaking, and Nicole couldn't wait to be the one to bring her to that place, over and over again.

Taking her cues from the stirring of Waverly's hips, and the soft sounds of pleasure that slipped from kiss-swollen lips, Nicole spread her fingers, and gently parting her, she dipped the tip of her middle finger into the copious wetness that coalesced hotly between Waverly's legs. Closing her eyes, she bit her lower lip to suppress the guttural groan that threatened to escape from the sheer delight of finally touching her there. And when Waverly's body shuddered violently in Nicole's arms, her vulva so thick and congested with need she could barely tolerate the pressure, Nicole surged forward, capturing her mouth to contain her cries of pleasure, even as she rubbed her own wetness over the soft skin of Waverly's thigh—an agonizing indulgence, to be certain, but a modicum of respite from the relentless pressure that tautened deep within her core.

Waverly whimpered into Nicole's mouth, her breathing growing labored as Nicole slowly slid her fingertip through delicate folds, slick with heat and growing steadily hotter as she lingered there, exploring every nook and crevice. Later, she would explore with her eyes, and then hopefully, with her mouth and tongue, if Waverly was okay with that. But for now, she contented herself with the gift of simply touching the most intimate parts of her, body and soul.

Deepening their kiss again, Nicole slid her tongue along Waverly's, even as slowly and deliberately, she glided her fingers along the edges of Waverly's clitoris, so rigid and swollen now with need that it trembled beneath her touch, causing Waverly's hips to jerk in response. Unable to believe how responsive Waverly was to her touch, she gasped softly, as she struggled to hold a tight rein over her own rising need, and the unrelenting force that urged her to enter Waverly swiftly and with absolute abandon, to claim her, possess her, to bring her to glorious completion.

Instead, she nipped lightly at Waverly's lower lip as she ended their kiss, falling directly into Waverly's desire-laden gaze. Then, with a nearly imperceptible, yet vastly arousing touch she teased with her fingertips at the threshold of Waverly's entrance, as she ghosted her thumb across the sensitive tip of Waverly's swollen clitoris, causing Waverly's entire body to shudder in response. And then, Waverly was clutching to her, begging to be taken with an urgency so palpable that Nicole could no longer deny her.

Their gaze never wavering, Nicole caressed her again, this time with increased pressure as her fingertips once again slid along the delicate ridges of those hot, slick folds, almost terrified by the intensity of her own need for this woman whose body and soul fit so seamlessly with her own. God, how she loved her, how she craved her. It was like nothing she'd ever known; nothing she ever knew existed. And now here Waverly was, so beautiful, so very perfect for her in every way, and the greatest gift was that Waverly wanted her with a passion equal to her own.

Unable to resist the call for connection, Nicole bent to her again. "I love you, Waverly Earp," she husked, their mouths joining in an urgent kiss as finally, swift and smooth, Nicole entered her, drowning in the copious wet heat she discovered deep inside.

Waverly cried out, filling Nicole's mouth with the sweet sounds of her pleasure, even as Nicole filled Waverly, first with a single digit, then two, and finally three as she thrust deep within her, over and over again. The deeper she thrust, the higher Waverly soared, her hips arching off the mattress. Her cries of pleasure grew louder, more guttural, as did her vehement requests to feel the weight of Nicole's body atop her own. "Please, Nicole…" she growled in supplication, craving that sweet connection, that full fusing of their bodies. "I need to feel you on me…"

Desperate her own self for even deeper connection, Nicole smiled into their kiss. Tilting her pelvis, she shifted on the bed, lowering herself into place. Her thigh slid between Waverly's trapping the hand that still moved deep inside, and then she began to thrust anew, this time, the force bolstered by the weight of her own thigh as she rocked against her.

Another throaty cry of pleasure tore from Waverly's lungs, and Nicole was there to catch it with the kiss that deepened with every whimper or moan. She swallowed it greedily as smooth skin, now slick with sweat and need, slid together effortlessly as Nicole continued to pleasure her, every stroke moving deeper still, until finally, deep inside, the pressure crested, and feeling the telltale ripple of impending release, Nicole breathed out her name, calling to her, beckoning her to follow.

"Waverly… oh, Waverly…" she murmured softly, awestruck by the beauty of witnessing this magnificent woman on the precipice of release.

Nearly mindless, her body an electrified mass of live nerve endings, Waverly was adrift on the wings of sheer pleasure as it rippled through her body, and like an echo in the darkness, she heard the call from far, far away. Through the haze, she answered it, her fingernails digging into Nicole's shoulders as she cleaved to her, her body thrumming with need of her. Nicole stilled then, their bodies fused as knowing fingertips lightly grazed the one spot that she knew would bring Waverly to completion.

Like a siren's call, Nicole's touch destroyed her, but in the most extraordinary of ways. Her body tautened as the crest broke, and then it seized, shuddering violently beneath the weight of Nicole's body. And then Waverly was floating, her body adrift yet still tenderly tethered in Nicole's arms. "Don't stop, Nicole," she implored breathlessly, her hungry mouth once again seeking Nicole's. "Jesus, please don't stop. I'm still coming…"

"I know, Baby. I know. I can feel you… and you're so, so beautiful," Nicole whispered, her tone thick with desire as she kissed her again. "I've got you," she promised.

And then shifting to the side again, Nicole drew her close with her free arm, the other hand still buried deep inside. What had once been powerful thrusts, urging her toward the precipice, were now tantalizing strokes as Nicole tapped and teased her lightly with just the right pressure, in exactly the right place, reveling in the rush of Waverly's body closing around her, drawing her impossibly deeper as her climax continued, surging around her. And tenderly, she kissed Waverly's temple, whispering to her again of how much she loved her, and how breathtakingly beautiful she was in that blissful moment of release, until finally, Waverly stilled in her arms, body and soul thoroughly sated and spent, yet from that moment on, ever wanting for more of only Nicole.

---

Sunday, June 26, 2016… The Homestead—1:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Just down the hall, Wynonna leaned against the pillows at the headboard of her bed, her body once again curled around that patchwork bunny she had taken from Willa's room earlier in the week. It was the one piece of Willa they still had left after burning all of her things in an attempt to set her free, and once again, its fur was soaked with wordless testimony of profound grief and loss.

Her Willa was gone. Again.

She'd been given a second chance to save her. And she'd failed.

Miserably.

Worse than that, she'd sent her to hell.

Willfully.

What kind of monster did that make her?

And the hardest part, the part the burned the deepest, was that Waverly, for all of her attempts to comfort, seemed oblivious to the true depths of Wynonna's pain. She was too preoccupied with her newfound gayness, Wynonna assumed; especially after the encounter she'd just inadvertently overheard.

Clearly, Waverly didn't realize how thin the walls were in their dilapidated home, she mused, wondering if Nicole could do something to rectify that, lest Wynonna lose her fucking mind.

And though she certainly couldn't blame Waverly for falling in love with Nicole, the very idea of it frightened her on such a deep level that she didn't even have words to describe it.

What if Nicole took Waverly away? The woman was smart, and she had killer instincts, especially when it came to the criminal element. She was going places, professionally speaking, and Wynonna feared that her ambition would someday take her away from Purgatory—and that Waverly would go along with her.

And what if Waverly did chose to leave, to follow Nicole wherever life took them? She knew that Waverly loved her, unconditionally, but what if Waverly loved Nicole more? What if Waverly built a life with Nicole that excluded her? And what if Nicole could protect Waverly in a way that Wynonna herself never could?

The 'What-ifs' were killing her.

It was so hard, being torn between being happy for Waverly, wanting her baby sister to have the life she truly deserved—a life with someone who clearly loved her, and would never leave—and protecting the bond they were just beginning to forge as sisters… and friends. After years of running away from herself, away from the loss she had borne, she was finally finding that bond of sisterly friendship she'd once shared with Willa, in Waverly.

Only it was better.

It was better than she ever imagined it could be, because… it was with Waverly. She'd always known that Waverly was the special one; even more so than Willa who, being the heir-apparent, had always been treated as such, while Waverly was pushed by the wayside, especially by their father. It was Waverly who should have been the heir all along, and everyone knew it, especially Willa; which is why, Wynonna determined, Willa had always been so jealous of her, from the moment Mama and Daddy brought Waverly home. She remembered now, with biting clarity, the cruelty Willa had shown toward Waverly. She'd never understood it. Waverly was such a sweet, loving child, so full of sunshine and life. That light inside her had only grown brighter as she matured into the warm, brilliant, beautiful woman she was today. And Wynonna couldn't possibly love her more.

But none of that mattered anymore, because Willa was gone, and so were Mama and Daddy—and Dolls too, for that matter. And Waverly was moving on to the future she deserved. And Wynonna, well she was just broken. So much so that even Doc had rejected her in her moment of greatest vulnerability. Maybe Gus was right—she was as broken as they come. And Waverly deserved far more than Wynonna could ever give her.

The weight of that truth crushed Wynonna's tattered soul in a way that nothing else ever had, and once again, she felt devastatingly alone.

---

Sunday, June 26, 2016… The Homestead—1:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Turning into Nicole's body as Nicole gathered her close, Waverly draped a thigh over Nicole's leg, as she pressed a hand against her belly, her own body coming down from a high she'd never even fathomed possible. A soft, contented sigh slipped from her lips, her cheek coming to rest against the swell of Nicole's left breast, and she delighted at the sensation of Nicole's heartbeat thrumming beneath her. Nicole's fingertips were tangled in her hair, her other hand stroking softly down her back and up again to caress her neck, while lightly, Waverly skimmed her fingernails across Nicole's abs, enjoying the way those taut muscles rippled and twitched beneath her touch.

Their glistening bodies bathed in flickering candlelight, stillness covered them like a protective veil, each of them lost in a whirlwind of thought and sensation, neither wanting to break the connection, or sever the bond.

Nothing in her life had prepared Nicole for the sheer splendor of witnessing Waverly, feeling the way her beautiful body answered the call, as she shattered like glass in Nicole's arms. Every moment, every heartbeat, every breath, left Nicole wrecked in the most breathtaking way, by the sheer exquisiteness of her.

Now, she understood.

It was the same for Waverly; and yet, so very different.

Being pressed so closely against Nicole's body was like a symphony of new and wonderful sensations, and she reveled in the nearness of her in the afterglow of their lovemaking. From the very first time Nicole held her, nothing had ever felt so perfect, so right, as being in the shelter of those tender, loving arms; and now, with her body still rippling in places she'd never even fathomed, her soul still soaring from the sheer ecstasy of Nicole's touch, she was certain that she'd found her personal Shangri-La.

Releasing another soul-satisfying sigh, she shifted her body, and propping up on her elbow, she smiled into Nicole's eyes. "So this is what it's supposed to feel like," she whispered, her fingertips feathering across Nicole's lips and onto her cheek, as her eyes slowly searched Nicole's, drowning in her.

A faint smile flickered across Nicole's lips. "How what's supposed to feel?" she husked softly, as her fingertips continued to slowly caress Waverly's back, rippling along the ridge of her spine, gliding across muscled shoulders, and back down again, to that warmth that lingered in the small of her back. Her heart did a somersault as she contemplated kissing her there.

"To be with someone you love…" Waverly whispered, brushing her mouth across Nicole's. "And never, ever want them to leave."

Nicole's smile broadened. "Well, I think if it isn't, then it certainly should be," she declared, kissing Waverly lightly. "Because that's exactly the way I feel, right here in this moment, with you."

Waverly felt her heart trip in her chest, and she smiled, almost bashfully. "Really?" she murmured, sounding hopeful.

"Oh, yeah," Nicole exhaled, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I always feel this way when I'm with you." I have from the moment we met.

Feeling the threat of tears, Waverly regarded her for several moments, contemplative green slowly searching expressive russet. Where have you been all my life? she wondered, not for the first time.

Though she certainly wasn't old, not by any means, Waverly Earp was indeed an old soul, a romantic, whose heart longed for a love as rare and true as Nicole's. No, it hadn't come in the package she'd expected, but like Gus said, sometimes life throws us surprises about what, and who, we want. And now that she'd found the love she'd always longed for, but never dared dream she could actually have, the unexpected diversity in terms of the package mattered little in comparison to the gifts of love and acceptance she'd found inside, and her heart ached with an overwhelming need to never let her go.

"I never thought I could have anything like this, Nicole," Waverly whispered. "Certainly never thought I deserved it. But… here you are, and I feel so..." At a complete loss as to how to articulate what she was feeling, she simply exhaled, an adoring smile playing across her lips. "I don't even have words."

"We don't need words," Nicole reassured, her gaze locked on Waverly's. "I feel it too, Waves."

"You do?" Waverly asked tentatively, her heart hopeful.

Watching the whirlwind of emotions that played across Waverly's face, reflecting in those dark expressive eyes, Nicole reached up, and tangling her fingers in Waverly's hair once again, she gathered her close, kissing her tenderly. "I do," she whispered. "I feel it… every time I look at you. It's in every touch, every kiss. It has been since the beginning."

Waverly's smile lit up her eyes. "You make my heart so happy," she said, sounding overjoyed in knowing that it was true.

Amused by the exuberance in Waverly's tone, Nicole laughed softly. And then, pulling her close, she kissed her again. When their lips parted, Waverly pressed her forehead against Nicole's, their eyes shuttering closed in perfect accord. They lingered there together, simply soaking in the essence of one another, as Nicole gathered the courage to say the words that terrified her, but were truer than any she had ever spoken.

Several moments later, Nicole met Waverly's gaze again, tears now glistening in her eyes. "You're it for me, Waverly," she declared with a certainty that nearly broke Waverly's heart with its simplistic beauty. "I've waited my whole life for you," she dared admit, her heart hammering in her chest. "And I know… it's probably too soon to say things like that, and I'm probably scaring the hell out of you," she commented, concern etched on her brow. "But I…"

Stirred in a place so deep she never knew it existed, Waverly pressed a finger against Nicole's lips to silence her, as she offered one of those heart-stopping smiles. "It doesn't scare me in the least, Nicole," she reassured. "It makes me love you even more, for being brave enough to say it first."

It was Nicole's turn to feel her heart skip a beat. That dimple bloomed, and her smile shone through her tears. She didn't even need to ask; she already knew.

Those sparkling green eyes turned shimmery with tears as Waverly smiled down at her. "Nothing in my life made sense, until you," she confessed, in response to the expression in Nicole's eyes. "You swaggered into Shorty's, so full of confidence and charm, and I was… instantly under your spell. You piqued my interest, made me question things I'd never dared, and then… you stole my heart, Nicole. And I don't ever want it back."

"Guess it's a good thing I don't plan on ever returning it," Nicole mused, eyes smiling.

"I've never given it to anyone before," Waverly confessed, once again baring her vulnerabilities before Nicole, asking her to love without condition.

"Neither have I," Nicole quietly disclosed. "But it's yours now, for always—if that's what you want." It wasn't that she wasn't certain, but she needed to hear it from Waverly before taking it as truth.

"It's exactly what I want, Nicole," Waverly reassured.

"It's really not too soon," Nicole said, surprised by the certainty of her realization.

Tracing a fingertip along Nicole's chin, Waverly smiled down at her. "I've been falling in love with you since the moment we met," she confessed.

How was it possible that Waverly's every word echoed Nicole's own heart? "You're really not scared at all," Nicole said in awe. It wasn't a question. Not in the wake of Waverly's quiet confession.

"Not even a little bit," Waverly replied with certainty. "It may have taken me a while to get here, but I told you, I know exactly what I want—and that's you, Nicole," she whispered.

Leaning down, she kissed Nicole's sweet mouth, as she gently palmed her breast. "I want you. I want... us. And right now..." she intoned, kissing her again, "I really, really want to touch you. I want to make you feel as amazing as I do, because I can still feel you, Nicole. I still feel you all over my body."

Delivered on an entreating tone, Waverly's final declarations caused Nicole's nipples to tighten and her clitoris to twitch sharply. Her insides turned into sheer molten lava in response, as a rush of liquid heat fused into a very concentrated spot between her legs. Her pupils dilated in response, as she searched the depths of those sparkling green eyes. She was already hard and wet, dangerously close to coming, her entire body honed to razor sharpness from their recent lovemaking. And the sweet echo of want in Waverly's tone was nearly enough to finish her off. A tremulous smile flickered across her lips. "I can feel you too," she groaned.

And she wanted to feel her even more.

But as appealing as swift, blindingly hot release may have sounded, she didn't want that. Not this time. This time she wanted Waverly to have the experience she deserved—to touch and be touched, to explore and be explored, to have everything she never knew she wanted or needed, and oh, so very much more.

Nearly breathless from hearing Waverly's desires, Nicole bit her lip as she threaded her fingers through those long, chestnut waves, drawing her close, their mouths fusing in a dance of desire and invitation. "Touch me any way you want, Waves," she husked, opening to her, offering herself, body and soul to this woman; her heart already safely in Waverly's care. "Just please... make it soon, but let it last. I don't wanna come too quickly."

That roguish grin hijacked Waverly's face, and she practically growled at the invitation. The widening of those dark pupils, the sharp intake and corresponding catch in Nicole's breath, the stirring of her pelvis, weren't lost on her, and she felt her own body react deep inside.

And then the nervousness set in.

"This time, I… I really have no idea what I'm doing," Waverly confessed, as she contemplated what she was about to do.

Nicole's heart melted, and she pulled her closer. "Oh, sure you do," she whispered encouragingly. "It's just you and me, okay, Waves?" she quietly reassured, as she poured her love out over Waverly's skin with light brushes of lips against her temple, brow, cheeks, and mouth. "You just do what makes you comfortable, all right? Trust me, I'll let you know what I like, and don't like, just like you did for me."

Perplexed, Waverly furrowed her brow, question reflecting in her eyes. "But I didn't…"

That dimple bloomed on Nicole's left cheek, as she remembered the soft whimpers and contented sighs, the guttural groans and the ragged breathing, the arching of Waverly's body and the jerking of her hips—all those delicious cues she had received from Waverly as she made love to her. "Oh, sure you did, Baby. You just didn't use words…"

Waverly's breath caught, and her pupils dilated as she felt the flush of heat shading her cheeks. She bit her lip. "Oh—," she breathed, bashfully.

"Yeah… Oh—" The obvious amusement in Nicole's tone made Waverly smile.

And then she blushed again, as she thought about how wonderful it felt to have Nicole touch her so intimately. "I, um… That was…" At a loss for words, she stammered, before finally settling on a single statement. "You were… incredible, you know," she whispered. Brushing their mouths together, she lightly tongued Nicole's lower lip, drawing a soft whimper from Nicole. "I never knew sex could feel so… Yeah."

Nicole chuckled softly, and then Waverly was kissing her again, this time, with obvious intent. Releasing a soft moan, Nicole's heart rate bumped up a notch. "Just you wait, Waves. It only gets better…"

"I can't wait to see how," Waverly declared on a throaty whisper. Making love with Nicole Haught far surpassed anything she ever could have imagined, and she seriously wondered how it could possibly get any better. But Nicole said that it could, so she believed her.

"Neither can I," Nicole murmured, as Waverly's mouth lingered on her own.

And then lightly, her fingertips were gliding along the valley that ran between Nicole's breasts. They were perfect twin peaks, so full and so round, and Waverly delighted in touching them, teasing those delicate rose-colored nipples into sharp points of pleasure that Nicole felt echoing between her legs.

Nicole's eyes slid closed, as Waverly's tender exploration continued; the warmth of her mouth soon replacing the lightness of fingertips. She felt the heat of tears mingling with the warmth of open-mouthed kisses, and then Waverly was whispering to her, filling her heart with affirmations she never realized she needed to hear, until they were flowing from Waverly's heart, into her own.

"I'm so thankful you came into my life when you did, Nicole. You're everything I never knew I needed." The words tumbled from tremulous lips on a strangled whisper. There was a gulp, and a stifled cry, as the fullness of that truth entwined itself around Waverly's own heart, and then her arms were around Nicole; pulling her impossibly closer, as trembling lips softly kissed her chest.

The emotions that flowed between them were tacit, but palpable; and wrapping her arms around Waverly's body, Nicole held her securely. Tenderly, she kissed Waverly's hair; then buried her face in the softness of it, as her own tears of deep gratitude began to flow. Those dark places she had confessed to earlier haunted her in ways even she couldn't comprehend, and this woman, this sweet and tender, yet fierce young woman who held her, had given her hope, in ways she would never understand, and she vowed to show her, in every imaginable way, just exactly how deeply she was treasured.

Neither of them could say how long they lingered there together, their gazed locked and searching deeply; but in the moment, it mattered not. They had no idea what morning would bring, what fresh hell might be unleashed on the Ghost River Triangle, thanks to Willa's betrayal. But tonight, as they hovered on the precipice of their future, they felt as though they had all the time in the world.

And finally, gaining confidence, Waverly shifted her focus. She was so ready for more, and if the slick heat she felt against her thigh was any indication, she was certain Nicole was ready, as well. Covering Nicole's mouth with her own, that which began as a series of light, fluttery kisses, turned into, slow, deep explorations, their breathing quickening with every stroke of Waverly's tongue against the confines of Nicole's soft, warm mouth.

Nicole moaned softly each time Waverly's tongue brushed against her lower lip, and she shivered, when it stroked just inside her open mouth, sliding against her own tongue. Every breath was deeper than the one previous, as Waverly's skillful mouth locked tightly against Nicole's, and yet, they found themselves panting for air.

Lost in the sheer wonder of her, Nicole's next awareness was the sensation of Waverly's mouth at her breast, those wild chestnut tresses in her face, and tickling her nipples. God, how she loved Waverly's hair! And her lips were so soft, so tender, as they traveled across fevered flesh in a languorous trek toward taut peaks. Never would she have imagined something so innocent, so sweet, as the warmth of Waverly's breath against her nipple, could be so unbelievably arousing. And yet it was, and Nicole felt herself teetering on the edge of completion. It was just that fucking good.

The light, briny taste of Nicole's skin—a palpable remnant of their lovemaking—mixed with the familiar crisp, clean scent of her, spurred Waverly's exploration—her mouth and tongue caressing every inch of flesh it discovered. Slowly, she once again gloried in the hedonistic pleasure of loving Nicole's breasts, wondering if this time it would be enough to actually make her come.

Like a curious kitten, she licked, first one nipple, then the other, and then returned to the first; bathing it with long, languid strokes of her tongue. It felt incredible, the way it pebbled as she lightly teased around the base with the tip of her tongue. And then a soft whimper fell from her lips, as her mouth finally closed over the straining bud, and Nicole groaned out her pleasure, her hips stirring as her groin clenched tight in anticipation.

Propping up on her elbows, Nicole watched, enchanted by the feel of Waverly's mouth and hands on her body. Other than kissing her mouth, Waverly hadn't moved beyond her torso, and yet, Nicole could feel her absolutely everywhere. Momentarily, she flashed back to the breathy sound of Waverly's voice, declaring that very same sensation, as Nicole slowly suckled her nipples.

Waverly luxuriated in the paradoxical essence of Nicole's body—so very firm, muscles toned, and yet, impossibly soft in all the right places. Never would she have imagined a woman's body could be so alluring, so desirable, but everything about Nicole Haught drew her close, enticed her to touch, to explore. She took her time, delighting in the velvety softness of flesh, and sounds that slipped from Nicole's lungs as she touched her, kissed her. And then her mouth was at Nicole's breast again, suckling gently.

Stifling a moan, Nicole gently cupped the back of Waverly's head, and tangling in those thick chestnut tresses, she held her in place, even as her own head fell back against the pillow that was propped behind her. And when the light, fluttering sucking began anew, Nicole felt that familiar rush of liquid heat pool between her legs, accompanied by another sharp clenching of muscles and nerve endings that cried out for Waverly's touch. Her body jerked in response, and the sound that burst from deep within her lungs could only be described as primal. Once again, Waverly had barely touched her, and she felt as though she might explode. Willfully, she held back, allowing Waverly free reign over her body. It was unfamiliar territory for Waverly; a gift Nicole wanted to give to the woman who owned her, body and soul.

Startled by the intensity of Nicole's response, Waverly gasped, wrenching back. The light scraping of her teeth against the taut point of flesh only made Nicole jerk harder, as she murmured and fervently groaned out her pleasure. The flush of Nicole's skin coupled with her ardent vocalizations, both wordless and otherwise, told Waverly that she was doing something right, and she grinned proudly, her own arousal heightening. "That was good, huh?" she husked, as she nuzzled next to Nicole's ear. Her fingernail lightly teased that sensitive nipple.

"Fuck, yes!" Nicole exhaled on a throaty growl. Her nipples were throbbing points of pleasure, teetering on the brink of pain, and she wanted Waverly to take them over the edge. "Do that again, Waves. Please, just do it again," she implored.

"Do what again?" Waverly panted, thoroughly aroused by the intensity of Nicole's request.

"Bite them," Nicole demanded.

Waverly hesitated, and Nicole reached down, tangling her fingers in those chestnut tresses once again, and tightening her grasp, though not harshly, their gazes met.

"Please?" Nicole begged.

Delivered on a growling pant, the urgency of Nicole's request made Waverly's body tingle in places that now needed to be touched. But she could see the intensity of Nicole's need flashing in the haziness of those piercing russet eyes, and suspending her own need, just that quickly, Waverly found herself nodding her acquiescence.

Nicole's grasp did not subside, as Waverly lowered her head, drawing one of those engorged rose-colored peaks into the warmth of her mouth. Lightly, she nibbled, causing Nicole to groan in pleasure, as her hips jerked in response.

"Harder," Nicole demanded. "Please?" Oh, God, but this was delicious torture. This was completely new to her—her body craving such harsh stimulation. Choosing not to analyze the reason, she simply prayed that Waverly wouldn't fear giving it to her. And while she didn't imagine always needing it this way, right now, she instinctively knew that nothing less would do.

The primal urgency in Nicole's voice spurred Waverly into action. Closing her teeth around that taut peak, she bit down with purpose, as she teased that achingly swollen treasure with the tip of her tongue.

Nicole growled out her response, and it echoed through the bedroom, as her body shuddered and writhed beneath Waverly. Another firm bite followed—this one causing her clitoris to throb—and then that languid tongue was soothing her. God, if Waverly could bring her this much pleasure by simply biting her nipples, she couldn't wait to feel those teeth clamping down on her most sensitive parts. Did she dare hope that Waverly would pleasure her in such a way?

Not needing need to be asked, Waverly knew that Nicole needed more. Switching breasts, she treated the other nipple to similar pleasures, even as she caressed that first nipple between her fingers, running them along the edges of that swollen peak. The response she received was even more intense than the first, and then Nicole was begging her for more.

Shifting, Waverly climbed fully on top of her, and pressing Nicole firmly into the mattress, she silenced her with a slow, deliberate kiss. Tentatively, her tongue sought entrance, and Nicole's lips instinctively parted, granting permission to deepen the kiss, as she had oh, so many times before. And then it was Waverly's turn to entice, to arouse, as she drew Nicole's tongue out and into her own mouth, suckling it until Nicole whimpered and moaned; her body writhing and jerking beneath Waverly's. She could feel the heat of Nicole's abundant arousal against the thigh that was nestled between Nicole's legs, and it raised the level of her own desire. Slowly, she licked and kissed her way to Nicole's ear, nibbling gently.

"I wanna touch you now," she nearly growled; surprised at the intensity of her own need to do so. "Please—," she entreated, lightly sucking Nicole's earlobe. "You're so hard, so wet for me. I know you want it too…"

God, her kisses were seductive, her voice, so alluring. Nicole's groin clenched and her nipples tightened in anticipation, and a tangle of throaty yeses and strangled moans announced her fervent consent. She couldn't believe how aroused she was, or how easily she had been placed into submission. That was something that never happened, no matter who she'd been with. "Yes, Waverly. Touch me," she implored, as her hips shifted off the bed, seeking direct contact, and she moaned out her pleasure when her distended clitoris rubbed against Waverly's firm thigh. "Oh, God, touch me, please…" The plea tore from her lungs on a rigid groan. "I'm so hard for you, Waves, so wet and ready—I need to feel you inside me…"

The mere inference to being inside Nicole drew a soft gasp from Waverly's lungs, as her cheeks flushed anew. She was excited beyond reason, and decidedly nervous. Shifting on their bed, she propped herself up on one elbow to gain a more advantageous view of Nicole's body.

Leaning up to kiss her, Nicole mirrored her actions.

Waverly smiled at her, and those coppery-green eyes, darkened once again with arousal, slowly followed the candlelit path as it gently touched Nicole's elegantly chiseled features. Dancing, it kissed and caressed her with its sensuous glow; softly highlighting kiss-swollen lips that just begged to be kissed again and again. And then it was flickering against the graceful slope of her nose, and those long, beautiful eyelashes, the tips of those soft auburn locks, and gliding along the contoured edge of her angular jaw.

Reaching out, Waverly gently brushed a lock of wayward auburn hair from Nicole's face. "God, you're so beautiful," she said, breathlessly; and delivered on a whisper, her thoughts were carried out into the stillness of night, as fingers lightly trailed down Nicole's cheek.

Smiling softly, Waverly replaced those fingers with her lips, brushing them against Nicole's cheek and neck. Tentatively, she shifted her body, so as not to inhibit the flame-lit path across silken flesh. Then, continuing their tender caress, those eyes followed that flickering glow as it licked at Nicole's skin, brushing against her long, graceful neck, kissing her shoulder, and burning a path down a toned bicep before plunging down, fondling an exposed breast, lingering over that voluptuous swell, before delicately licking at the tip of a taut rose-colored nipple.

Envious of the candlelight's pleasure, Waverly couldn't resist the urge to lean in, delicately kissing that alluring peak. Her breath fell across Nicole's skin like a whisper, an ephemeral kiss, but still, it provoked a soft moan from Nicole's chest, bringing a smile to Waverly's lips. And then, as Waverly shifted again, the candlelight found the smooth, sensuous curve of a hip, dipping down, lapping at that lush knoll at the zenith of Nicole's thighs…

Waverly allowed her eyes to linger there, mesmerized by the swell of softness, kissed by adoring flickers of candlelight. Nicole's body was more breathtaking than anything she had ever seen, and she could no longer resist the urge to touch.

Hungry eyes sought permission that was reflected back to her in the luminescence of liquid onyx, that soft russet having turned dark, almost black with desire, as that sensuous smile teased at the corners of Nicole's mouth. Waverly reached out, her fingertips slowly wandering the lush landscape of Nicole's strong, muscular body, exploring her once again. The terrain was no longer foreign, and yet, each time Waverly touched her, she discovered something new… and breathtakingly beautiful.

She kissed Nicole slowly, as she lowered her body to the mattress once again, and there she lingered, caressing flame-kissed skin with gentle strokes and arousing touches, mapping every curve, and slope, and valley, committing to memory every moan and every shudder her touch drew from Nicole's body, before lightly brushing her fingertips across that swell of perfectly manicured dark auburn curls. It felt downy soft beneath her rapt fingertips, and as she caressed Nicole there, she delighted in the heat and wet that licked at the palm of her hand.

Releasing a soft sigh, Nicole closed her eyes and simply reveled in the exquisite sensation of Waverly's fingertips brushing against her there. She was aroused beyond reason, but willfully, she tamped down her need, once again allowing Waverly to indulge, to explore, to satisfy her curiosities, even as she stoked the flickering embers of Nicole's own need into a raging inferno.

And when gentle, probing fingers dipped just beneath the surface, discovering her for the first time, they released an ephemeral breath in unison, and then Nicole's body morphed into a shivering mass of nerve endings and need.

Pulling her impossibly closer, Waverly whispered to her, asking if she was all right. Nicole's response was a breathless plea for Waverly to kiss her. And as Waverly kissed her again, Nicole's body instinctively arched into the touch of Waverly's hand; encouraging deeper exploration.

Delivered on a slow, almost guttural moan, her name tumbled from Nicole's lips into Waverly's mouth, as she stirred beneath that tender yet provocative touch, her body instinctively seeking increasingly more intimate contact with those fingertips, and the soft, alluring curves of Waverly's body.

Waverly was in complete awe of how satisfying it felt to touch Nicole this way, to hear her soft moans of pleasure, to feel her body responding to entranced fingertips. Every light stroke, every lingering kiss, every soft caress, evoked an even more intense response, and spurred on by Nicole's increasingly gratifying noises of approval, Waverly slipped her fingers deep inside that wet, waiting warmth; mirroring the many exquisite ways in which Nicole had made love to her during the hours before.

Nicole groaned and writhed, pressing closer to her, encouraging deeper exploration of the places in her body that screamed for release, as she surrendered herself, body and soul, to the woman who loved her so completely. Never had she given herself so fully to another, and when she climaxed in Waverly's arms, her body clenching around those tantalizing fingers, she clung to her, invoking God, and praising Waverly in a series of nearly incoherent babbles and sighs.

Waverly was thankful her mouth had already been on Nicole's, lest she awaken Wynonna with her thunderous cries of pleasure, as her entire body quaked in Waverly's arms. She was still shaking with indescribable pleasure and a depth of emotion the likes of which she had never known, when passionate kisses turned slow and lingering.

No one had ever touched her body with such gentleness, such genuine warmth, or evoked such an emotional response within her. And as Nicole collapsed in Waverly's arms, physically and emotionally exhausted, she found herself enveloped in more love and contentment than she thought her heart could hold. And then Waverly was covering her face and hair with kisses, and whispering to her, telling her how much she loved her, and needed her, and how incredible it was to finally love her this way.

And finally, lying face to face in the center of their bed, their bodies flush up against one another, legs intertwined, once again, they savored the afterglow of their lovemaking. Nicole nuzzled against Waverly's nose. "That was amazing—you're amazing…," she breathed, her gaze locked into the dazzling coppery-green of Waverly's eyes.

Waverly's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "Amazing, huh?" she murmured playfully, as she allowed Nicole to pull her closer, holding her almost possessively.

"Completely," Nicole whispered, and then she kissed her tenderly.

They fell quiet for a while then, the only sounds in the room being soft rustle of the leaves as the trees shifted in the light summer breeze, and the echoes of their still-ragged breathing. There were tender kisses, and light touches—the ones that maintained their intimacy, as they relaxed and enjoyed simply being together.

---

Sunday, June 26, 2016… The Homestead—3:15 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

"You okay, Waves?" Nicole asked quietly, as she lay there with Waverly nestled against her body, their breathing finally normalized. They'd been making love for hours, but the embers of desire smoldered deep within them still.

Twisting her body, Waverly smiled into Nicole's eyes. "How could I possibly not be?" she questioned rhetorically.

"Well, this was… a really different experience for you, and I…"

Waverly blushed crimson, and buried her face against Nicole's chest until she recovered. And then she met Nicole's gaze squarely. "Are you asking me if I'm satisfied, Agent Haught?" she playfully intoned.

Nicole just gave her that smug look. "Baby, I know you are," she replied, that sexy swagger evident in her tone. "Pretty sure I could feel your… satisfaction… rippling all around me. Multiple times tonight."

"Well, you certainly are proud of yourself, aren't you?" Waverly teased.

"I am," Nicole willingly confessed, her grin broadening as Waverly laughed. "But I'm more interested in you," she said, her tone serious again. "Are you okay?"

The smile that followed reflected in those green eyes, as Waverly leaned down to kiss her. "I've never been better, Babe," she whispered. "I'm just… sorry we didn't make love sooner."

"Oh, my sweet love," Nicole whispered, her fingertips threading through Waverly's long, glorious tresses. "Don't you know that we've been making love all along?"

Momentarily caught off-guard, Waverly took a moment to contemplate Nicole's question, finding that she had no argument. "We have, haven't we?" she whispered, her tone one of pleasant realization.

They were quiet again for several moments, and then Waverly asked, "And what about you? Are you okay?" She emphasized the part about it being Nicole's turn to share.

Smiling through her tears, Nicole tenderly kissed Waverly's temple. "I've never been happier, Waves," she whispered "Never in my life."

Waverly released a soft, contented sigh. "Neither have I, Nicole," she whispered, lightly kissing the breast beneath her cheek, as she snuggled deeper into Nicole's embrace. "Neither have I…"

---

Sunday, June 26, 2016… The Homestead—10:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Despite a nearly sleepless night of lovemaking, followed by a blissful morning filled with more of the same, Waverly and Nicole were up and moving rather early. There was much to be accomplished, and they were both more than up to the challenge.

After burning all of Willa's things in their attempt to set her free, Waverly and Wynonna had agreed it was time to move on, and that meant truly letting go of the past—and of Willa. In an effort to accomplish that, Waverly suggested that Wynonna move upstairs to Willa's old room, and as appealing as that may have sounded given Waverly's new relationship, she just couldn't bring herself to inhabit that room.

Other than the barn, Willa's bedroom had been the sanctuary where they played as children, or hid when Mama and Daddy were fighting, and where they giggled and shared secrets as teenagers. The place where Willa divulged the awkward details of her first kiss, and how it got better with practice; and how practicing with the gummy bears was a complete waste of time, so Wynonna didn't really need to bother. And both times, in the end, it was the place to which Wynonna had escaped as she grieved the loss of her beloved older sister—the only one she would ever have. No, she couldn't sleep in that room. But Waverly could.

At least now.

When she and Wynonna first moved back to the homestead, Waverly had wanted Willa's room. Still unable to let her go, Wynonna nixed that idea immediately, telling Waverly that she could have their old bedroom to herself. She would move into Daddy's room. Anything to avoid disturbing Willa's space—to do so would be akin to accepting that she was gone. And Wynonna simply couldn't do that.

Not yet.

But now she was ready. Or as ready as she would ever be. And after they burned Willa's things, Wynonna had held Waverly close, just long enough to truly release Willa, and then she'd encouraged Waverly to make the room her own.

To that end, Waverly and Nicole arose early, despite the lack of sleep, and set about the task of clearing out Willa's old furniture to make way for painting, and ultimately moving Waverly's furniture into the room. Earlier that morning, before Nicole made it upstairs, Waverly was moving the nightstand out into the hallway to be taken downstairs once Wynonna was awake, when the drawer slid open, revealing Willa's diary.

Pulling it from the drawer, Waverly moved swiftly toward Willa's old bed, and settling in, she poured over the contents of the journal. Shaken when she came across an entry regarding Willa's feelings about her as a baby, she quickly closed the diary, shoving it beneath a pillow at the foot of Willa's bed.

It was then that Nicole appeared in the doorway, and taking one look at her, she knew that something was wrong. "You okay, Waves?" she gently prodded as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. It took but a moment for her to reach Waverly's side, settling behind her on the bed.

Waverly dropped her gaze, and reached under the pillow where she'd stashed the diary. When she pulled her hand out again, she was holding Willa's diary. She held it up to Nicole. "I uh, I found this…"

"And what is this?" Nicole asked.

"It's Willa's diary," Waverly answered. Numbly, she flipped through the pages, finding the one that she'd marked just moments beforehand. A tattered photo of teenaged Wynonna and Willa fell from its pages, as if revealing a long-held secret.

"That's a beautiful photo," Nicole complimented.

"The one I've been cropped out of?" Waverly said, sounding hurt and a little disillusioned. And then she brushed it off. "Hey, listen to this," she said, and then she began to read: "I hate that they brought the baby into the house. There's something wrong with it. Mama told Daddy that we have to do what is right. What does that even mean? And why does she get the pretty name? Waverly. Whatever. She'll never be one of us."

"Willa was just a kid," Nicole said, attempting to reassure her.

"Yeah…" Waverly sighed softly. "She didn't think I was an Earp," she said, flipping the diary closed as she turned her head, seeking Nicole's gaze. "And… neither did Bobo." It couldn't be a coincidence—could it?

"Bobo…" Nicole sighed. "What wouldn't that gas-lighting sociopath say to freak you out?"

"There was another side to him, okay?" Waverly said, almost defensively. "A side that wouldn't lie to me."

"This is crazy," Nicole said. And then she leaned closer, meeting Waverly's gaze. "Look, you are the… 'Earpiest' Earp of them all," she declared with a wiggle of her head and a heart-stopping smile.

Grateful for Nicole's unwavering support, Waverly leaned forward, resting her forehead against Nicole's for a moment. And then she wrapped her arm around Nicole's neck, tilting her head to one side as she moved in to kiss her. It didn't take long to reignite the flame that still smoldered between them, fueled by hours of lovemaking that left them thoroughly satisfied, and yet ever desirous of one another. With her fingers buried in Nicole's hair, Waverly deepened the kiss, as she slid her other hand beneath Nicole's thick burgundy sweater and button-down shirt, seeking the warmth of her skin.

Nicole moaned into their kiss, loving the way Waverly's tongue teased and tangled with her own, and she reached for her, cradling Waverly's face in her hands. A moment later, the sound of footsteps on the staircase brought her back to reality, and instinctively, she pulled away from their kiss. She wasn't quite accustomed to other people knowing about them just yet, and it was a knee-jerk reaction that she immediately regretted upon hearing the hurt in Waverly's voice.

"Don't you want to?" Waverly asked, feeling dejected.

"No, it's not that at all," Nicole was quick to respond. "Someone's just coming up the…"

Before she could finish her statement, the sound of Wynonna's voice announced her impending arrival. "Do you have any idea when Doc's planning…"

"…stairs…" Nicole finished, just as Willa's door flew open.

"Shit," Wynonna cursed, averting her gaze as she took a step backwards. She guessed she'd have to get used to finding them this way.

"Hi, Wynonna…" Nicole said in a sing-song voice, drawing a look of amusement from Waverly.

Wynonna looked devastatingly penitent as she stood there, pressing the palms of her hands together like a guilty child. "Sorry…"

Nicole glanced at Waverly. "I'm gonna go downstairs," she announced, quickly rising from the bed and brushing past Wynonna, who awkwardly declared that Nicole was wearing some "Cool kicks," before apologizing yet again.

"That's okay," Nicole called back to her, as she headed down the staircase, leaving Wynonna time with her younger sister. She knew they had a lot to work through, and wanted to give them space to do exactly that.

"I really am sorry," Wynonna said penitently as she moved across the room, her hands still pressed together in front of her. "I, uh… I didn't mean to interrupt."

A shy smile flickered across Waverly's mouth, and she blushed slightly. "Don't even worry about it, Wyn," she said dismissively. "You weren't interrupting anything," she claimed.

Climbing onto the bed, Wynonna tucked one leg up underneath her. "You certainly couldn't've said that with a straight face last night," she commented dryly. And then she arched an eyebrow. "Can you say anything with a straight face anymore? I don't know how this whole lesbian thing works."

Shaking her head, Waverly just gave her that look—the one that said Wynonna was just so damned funny that Waverly found herself amused, despite her mild annoyance. "Always with the jokes," she commented, leaving the meaning open for interpretation.

"Well, we can't all be as socially adept as you, Waves," Wynonna sighed. "Some of us are just awkward disasters."

"You're not awkward," Waverly said insistently. "And you're not a disaster. You're just unsure of yourself, and honestly, I've never understood why." Reaching over, she grasped Wynonna's hands in her own, holding them firmly. "You've always been my heroine."

"What, like the drug?" Wynonna joked. "Jesus, Waverly…"

Waverly gave her that look again. "No, like the bravest woman I've ever known," she clarified. "And the person I trust most in the world."

"Yeah?" There was hopefulness beneath Wynonna's doubt.

"Yeah," Waverly nodded. "For as far back as I can remember. It's always been you."

"But what about now?" Wynonna asked, sounding painfully vulnerable. "I mean… because you have Nicole now."

Waverly watched as a series of emotions flickered across Wynonna's expressive face, and then she gently squeezed her hands. "I love Nicole, and I trust her completely," she said with certainty. "But that doesn't take anything away from you. I loved and trusted you first, and always."

"So… why didn't you tell me about her?" Wynonna sounded hurt as she shifted her gaze from their clasped hands. "I mean… this has been goin' on for a while now—hasn't it? Even Willa knew…"

"Not by choice," Waverly said dryly. "She walked in on us in the barn the night before Bobo's party."

Smirking, Wynonna nodded. "At least we had one thing in common," she commented. "Shitty timing."

Waverly laughed. "You have no idea," she declared. "But I love you anyway."

"I love you too, Waves," Wynonna said in a moment of rare sentimentality.

Gently, Waverly squeezed Wynonna's hand again. "So… you asked me why I didn't tell you about Nicole," she segued.

Shrugging, Wynonna said, "Yeah?" as if it really no longer mattered.

"Well, it's just that… I was… afraid of losing you," Waverly confessed, laying her heart bare before her sister. If only Wynonna could grasp the depths of Waverly's fear, then she could finally accept the even greater depths of her love. "What if… you couldn't accept my loving her? What if…"

"Hey, whoa there," Wynonna was quick to quell. And then she met her sister's gaze squarely, gently squeezing the hands that still held her own. "Waverly, there is nothing that would ever keep me from loving you," she passionately reassured. "You're my Babygirl. You always will be, even when you have babies of your own."

Tears filled Waverly's eyes, and she lunged forward, wrapping Wynonna in a tight hug. "I love you so damned much," she murmured against her ear.

"Love you too, kid," Wynonna replied, feigning nonchalance, even as she relaxed, settling in her sister's embrace. Waverly's hugs were always so genuine, so meaningful, and Wynonna, for all of her protests, positively lived for them—and for her. There was nothing she wouldn't do to support Waverly, or protect her, if need be, and she hoped that Waverly knew that without a doubt.

When Waverly released her, she settled back on the bed, contemplating. "This is… all so new to me," she confessed, feeling the need to really open up to Wynonna about Nicole. "I'm learning to navigate an entirely different way of relating to another person."

"What's so different about it?" Wynonna wondered aloud.

Waverly's eyes flashed with an expression that said: Absolutely everything.

Wynonna gasped. "Oh, my god, that's how you knew about lesbian sex!" she exclaimed, referring to Waverly's comment the morning Nicole came over to work on the house. "You'd already been dippin' in the Haught Springs!"

"What? No!" Waverly exclaimed. God, I wish. "No, it… it wasn't like that."

Silently, Wynonna fiddled with the fringe on one of Willa's old throw pillows, wondering why it hadn't been burned with the rest. "Then… what is it like?" she ventured timidly. Truly, she wanted to understand, because life hadn't given her a frame of reference for anything like this—meaning, a healthy, stable relationship.

"Nicole… makes me feel things I've never felt before," Waverly shared.

"Hey, whoa, I don't wanna hear about any of that," Wynonna quickly backpedaled, causing Waverly to laugh. "Believe me, I heard way more than enough last night."

"Would you stop," Waverly said, her face flushing adorably. It wasn't a request. "I mean… she encourages me to be more, to do more. She believes in me, and wants me to find what makes me happy. She makes me proud to be with her, just like she's proud to be with me. And I've never felt that before, Wyn."

"I believe in you too, Waves," Wynonna said quietly, suddenly feeling lost and alone again.

Waverly watched as a slideshow of emotions flickered across Wynonna's face, and she reached out, grasping her sister's hand again. "I know you do," she acknowledged. "I've always felt that from you, and it means everything to me."

"But it means more coming from Nicole," Wynonna presumed, her vulnerability nearly breaking Waverly's heart.

"Not more," Waverly said, shaking her head. "Just… different."

It was Wynonna's turn to nod, as she contemplated, and then accepted the promise in Waverly's words. "You're not the only one struggling with 'What-ifs', you know," she admitted unnecessarily.

"I know," Waverly said gently. "But like I said before, what I feel for Nicole doesn't take anything away from you," she reassured. "If anything, it enhances it, because… I see how deeply she loves her own sisters, and somehow it makes me believe that no matter how messed up we are, we'll always have one another's backs."

Wynonna barked out a laugh. "Nicole's family is as fucked up as ours?" she said incredulously. "Somehow, I just don't buy it."

"They have their demons too, Wynonna," Waverly answered gently, saying enough to soothe Wynonna's doubts, while not betraying Nicole's trust.

"Yeah," Wynonna sighed. "I guess we all do."

"Exactly," Waverly agreed.

Suddenly feeling restless, Wynonna shifted on the bed. "You should probably get downstairs," she commented, her grin roguish. "You've got a smokin' hot girlfriend waitin' for you down there."

Waverly laughed. "Don't I know it," she intoned. "I don't call her Officer Haught all the time for nothin'."

"Blech!" Wynonna groaned. "Too much information. I think I'd rather go back to being oblivious," she muttered, drawing another laugh from her sister as she peeled herself off of the bed. Heading toward the door, she turned back to look at Waverly. "I'll catch you later," she said. And then she gave a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe the three of us can have dinner."

Waverly smiled, so relieved to know that everything would be fine with Wynonna where Nicole was concerned. She was even beginning to believe they would be all right as a family. "Can't think of a better way to end my weekend."

"Least not out of bed, right, Babygirl?" Wynonna winked.

Amused, Waverly just shook her head and laughed.

Leaning against the doorjamb, Wynonna crossed her arms. "Listen, when you move your bed upstairs, could you just… make sure the headboard is a few inches from the wall?" she requested, grinning mischievously when Waverly's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. And then she was gone, leaving Waverly to blush profusely, as she pulled the bedroom door closed firmly behind her.

---

Sunday, June 26, 2016… The Homestead—10:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

The morning sun shone brightly across the homestead, illuminating the nearby mountains, and stretching far beyond, where the sky above was a crystal clear blue. All of nature lay quiet, the wind, eerily still, and yet somehow, the windmill near the entrance steadily turned. Leaning forward, her arms braced against the porch railing, Nicole slowly, vigilantly scanned the ridge just beyond the barn, where the road heading onto the property met with the horizon.

Someone, something, was out there, watching, waiting. She could feel it in her bones.

Despite the summer morning sun, there was an eerie chill in the air, making the hair on the back of her exposed neck stand on end. Every instinct told her to remain watchful, attentive, not only to her surroundings, but to Waverly and Wynonna, as well.

"So… you're bangin' my baby sister, eh?" Wynonna asked abruptly, startling Nicole from her watch with heavy boots, clomping against the wooden planks as she stepped out onto the rickety old front porch. It was her way of powering through an uncomfortable conversation, because while she knew now exactly how Waverly felt, she hadn't a clue about where she stood with Nicole. "I'm guessin' that's been goin' on for a while now."

"What? No!" Nicole reacted, sounding a bit defensive. And she wasn't lying. Not really. She'd "banged" more than her fair share of girls in college, and had an occasional tryst since. But that wasn't what happened with Waverly last night... and again this morning.

It wasn't like that at all.

It was… so much more than she'd ever imagined it could be; that mutual give and take that they so easily established. She knew how ridiculous that sounded—how… rainbows and unicorns, as Waverly might say—but it was true. God! Making love with Waverly was… it was everything. No other experience in her life had felt so… emotional, so… right. She felt connected to Waverly in a way she never even dreamed possible, and she knew that she would never do anything to jeopardize that bond.

"Seriously, Dude?" Wynonna sounded unconvinced. "All those nights you've spent in her bed…" She let the comment finish itself, as she thought: Right here under my nose… Damn, I'm an oblivious dickhead.

"Look, Wynonna," Nicole sighed when Wynonna startled her back to their conversation. Turning toward her, she faced the inevitable. "You can give me all the shit you want about bein' with your sister. I probably deserve it, and I'm good with that. I expected nothing less, actually," she grinned. "But I don't really feel comfortable goin' into details. I would never betray Waverly's trust that way—any more than I would expect either of you to betray yours, to me. Just know that Waverly totally has the reins here. We're doin' this at her pace, okay?"

Wynonna fell silent for several moments, her gazed inexplicably drawn to the ridge where Nicole's was focused only moments ago, as she mulled over Nicole's comments. "You love her," she finally said. It wasn't a question.

"More than you'll ever know," Nicole acknowledged, clear devotion in her tone.

"As long as she knows, well then I guess that's all that matters," Wynonna replied with a depth of sincerity in her tone that actually surprised Nicole. Not that she didn't think Wynonna had it in her, but that she was willing to reveal it, to show herself vulnerable to Nicole.

"I told her loud and clear. And I'll never give her reason to doubt it," Nicole vowed.

Wynonna nodded. "You'd best not," she warned.

Nicole smiled faintly. The protective bulldog. Predictable. And yet so damned admirable. She would be the exact same way with anyone, male or female, who showed interest in her little sisters—especially her Babygirl, Hayley. "So we're square here?"

"Yep." Wynonna popped the 'p'.

"Good," Nicole declared, as she leaned forward against the railing, her eyes glued to the ridge again, slowly scanning. "So… how are you doin' with…"

She searched in vain for a tactful way to address what had happened with Willa. Wynonna rescued her, but that didn't make it any easier.

"What, the fact that I murdered my sister?" Wynonna supplied, her tone biting once again.

Turning her head, Nicole met Wynonna's gaze, noting the raw edges of the pain that lingered in the depths of those striking blue eyes. "You didn't murder her," she insisted. "You freed her."

Wynonna barked out a sharp laugh. "Either way, she's dead," she said coldly. "And I'm the one who pulled the goddamned trigger."

"Way I see it, only one responsible for Willa's death is Willa herself," Nicole reasoned. "Bobo may have enticed her with promises of god knows what, but from what I hear, in the end, she made a choice that only benefitted herself. I hate bein' so blunt, but… it kills me, seein' you tearin' yourself up over this."

Wynonna barked out a sarcastic laugh. "I wouldn't be an Earp if I didn't."

The corner of Nicole's mouth lifting in a slight grimace, she nodded, accepting Wynonna's comment as the truth even as she contemplated how very similar she and Waverly were in some respects.

"So what the hell are you watchin' for out there, anyway?" Wynonna asked. Nicole's vigilant watch throughout their conversation hadn't been lost on her.

"I don't know yet," Nicole answered, her tone edgy, her words, forthright.

"Well, it can't be Revenants," Wynonna said. "Not with the ammolite working."

"I know," Nicole acknowledged. "Waverly told me." And then she smiled faintly. "Well played, by the way, tellin' Waverly to bring me around in the beginnin'. Great way of testin' me. I'm guessin' it makes you a little less skeptical of me, knowin' that I can be here without burnin' alive."

"Nothin' personal, Nicole," Wynonna said sincerely.

"Understood," Nicole replied. "Anything necessary to protect Waverly."

"Yeah," Wynonna agreed.

"I've got both your backs, and Gus's too," Nicole pledged.

"I'm countin' on it," Wynonna declared. And then, pushing away from the railing, Wynonna clapped a hand on Nicole's shoulder, giving it an affectionate squeeze, before sauntering back into the house, leaving Nicole there to continue her watch.

---

Tuesday, June 28, 2016… The Earp Homestead—2:45 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

A flash of light in the distance, somewhere near the gravel road that edged the southwestern corner of the Earp homestead caught Nicole's attention as they were getting ready for bed at the end of another long, exhausting day. Thankful for the new vantage point afforded her by Waverly's move to the upstairs bedroom, she approached the window, watching intently through the thicket for any signs of physical movement.

"Something wrong?" Waverly asked, approaching her. She smoothed a hand across Nicole's back, before embracing her from behind, her cheek pressed against Nicole's left bicep.

A moment passed, and then another flash. "Not sure," she answered, struggling to keep her voice steady. "I think there's somethin' out there."

Sidestepping Waverly, she grabbed her keys from the dresser, moving toward the door without a moments' hesitation. It was nearly three in the morning, and she was exhausted, but she'd let this go long enough. "I'll be right back."

Panicked, Waverly reached for her, grasping her wrist firmly. "Nicole, please don't go out there," she implored, eyes suddenly wild with tacit fear.

Nicole turned toward her, their gazes locking. "It'll be okay. I promise," she assured.

"No," Waverly insisted, yanking on Nicole's arm. "You don't understand, Nicole…"

Delivered with a sense of urgency she had never heard from her before, Waverly's plea tore at Nicole's heart. Taking a breath, she released it slowly, willing her pounding heart to calm.

"Actually, I understand more than you realize," she said gently, her dark eyes willing Waverly to trust her. After her experience with Jack, the weirdness that abounded throughout Purgatory started to crystalize for her. And then Doc finally confirmed her suspicions in the wake of Bobo's thwarted plan to escape the Ghost River Triangle, and she'd been welcomed into the Black Badge Division—an assignment she was more than prepared to handle, and released from far too imprudently. They had no idea what they'd tossed aside. And Nicole would never tell them. But it didn't matter anyway, because this—the flashing lights out near the access road to the homestead—it wasn't about Purgatory and its weirdness. No, this was something entirely different—equally as covert and dangerous, and far, far closer to home.

The mixture of anxiety and fear in Waverly's eyes nearly stopped Nicole in her tracks. But she knew she had to go. She'd put it off for as long as she could afford. Pulling Waverly toward her, she wrapped her in a protective embrace. Waverly clung to her, and Nicole brushed a kiss across her temple. "I know you're scared, Waves," she whispered. "But I'm combat trained. I can take care of myself."

Waverly didn't dare point out that Nicole hadn't fared so well against Jack. Nicole had beaten herself up over that enough for all three of them already. "Please be careful," she said, resolving herself to the fact that Nicole was indeed going out into the darkness to face whatever was out there—and she was going completely alone.

Cradling Waverly's face in her hands, Nicole kissed her tenderly. "I will, Baby," she assured. "I promise." She kissed her again, and then she was gone, leaving Waverly to wear holes in the hardwood floors. And as she watched Nicole walk out the door, Waverly's thoughts drifted back to the night Willa was killed, and Dolls was taken away from them, leaving long-held secrets to be revealed in the wake of such devastation and loss…

---

Tuesday, June 28, 2016… The Earp Homestead—2:45 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Once outside Waverly's bedroom, Nicole swiftly navigated her way through the house, and exiting via the kitchen door, she moved in shadow toward her SUV. Remotely, she switched off the interior light and killed the alarm before opening the passenger-side door. Reaching inside then, she entered the code to unlock the gun safe that was built into the console, pulling out her Glock, along with her shoulder harness, and two extra fully loaded magazines. Shielded by the mass of the dark SUV, she shrugged into the black leather harness, holstering her weapon beneath her left arm. And then she grabbed the set of binoculars that was stowed behind the seat, and skillfully attaching it to her duty belt, she backed up, quietly closing the door.

With the aid of those military-issue night-vision binoculars, she surveyed her surroundings then, in reference to where she'd seen the lights, and quickly formulating a plan, she set a course toward the gravel road at the top of the hill, just beyond the barn. Using the dilapidated structure as shelter, she crept along the side wall to the back edge, and then ducked down under cover of the trees and foliage, making her way toward the crest of the hill where the horizon opened to a vast expanse of farmland on the other side of the road. And when she arrived, her suspicions were confirmed—a car was parked on the non-existent shoulder of that gravel road, out of the direct line of sight from the windows, but at a perfect vantage point to monitor the comings and goings at the homestead. The car was completely nondescript, which made it easy to tag it for exactly what it was.

"Son-of-a-bitch!" she cursed beneath her breath. Just as she suspected, she was under surveillance. It didn't take much effort to figure out by whom—and she had a fairly decent idea of who she would discover inside.

Releasing a slow sigh to rein in her anger, she made another quick assessment of her surroundings, and then put her plan into action. Grateful for the veil of cloud-cover shrouded in darkness, she moved along the edge of the brush until she was near the vehicle, and staying low, she sidled up to the rear bumper.

It was there that she drew her weapon.

Further assessing the situation, she continued on. Stealthily, she edged along the side of the car, careful not to disturb the gravel with her boots. And once she reached the window, she slipped the barrel of her gun inside. "Hands on the steering wheel," she commanded.

Obediently, arms lifted, hands in sight. "Don't shoot, okay?" the voice implored, as hands reached toward the steering wheel.

"Who sent you?" Nicole demanded.

"I'm here as protection, not as a threat," the driver answered. That was why no weapon was drawn when Nicole came into view moments earlier.

Glancing inside, Nicole noted a Glock very similar to her own holstered beneath the driver's left arm. "Given the heat you're packin', you'll have to forgive me if I don't believe you," she said sternly. She reached inside, freeing the gun from its holster, and tucking it into her belt behind her back, she backed up slightly, clearing the arc of the door. "Now reach through the window, and open the door from the outside," she instructed, her weapon still trained on the interloper.

Again, the driver complied, pushing the door wide open.

"Keep your hands up, and step outside the vehicle," Nicole ordered.

"No problem, Agent Haught," the driver acquiesced.

"So you do know who I am," Nicole said, more statement than question.

"Like I said, I'm here for protection," the driver answered. Climbing from the car, she turned to face Nicole.

At the first real look at her, Nicole released a sharp laugh. "I'm not even surprised it's you," she said, recognizing the blue-eyed brunette. She'd noticed a car tailing her for several weeks, but never closely enough that she could get a good look at who was behind the wheel. And binoculars would've been a dead giveaway, especially in town. But the car was always there, parked down the street from her apartment, the police station, the park where she and Waverly went on walks together… everywhere.

"You're a sharp detective, Haught," the woman said. "I'm surprised you didn't make me the second we first met."

"On the hiking trail," Nicole recalled.

The woman nodded, and offered her hand. "Commander Langston Malloy," she said in formal introduction. "Special Agent, Homeland Security."

"Credentials?" Nicole demanded.

"I'll have to reach inside my back pocket," Langston said, her tone seeking permission.

Her weapon still sharply trained, Nicole nodded.

Reaching behind her, Langston wedged the sleek black case from her pocket, flipping it open and handing it to Nicole for inspection.

Giving it the once-over, Nicole flipped it closed, and handed it back to its owner. Cautiously, she holstered her weapon, and reached out, shaking Langston's hand. "Agent Malloy," she said grudgingly.

"Agent Haught," Langston greeted respectfully.

"You've bumped up surveillance, of late," Nicole observed, her tone asking the question.

Nodding, Langston's silence spoke more than any words ever could.

"How bad is this?" Nicole inquired, for the first time looking truly worried.

"He knows..." Langston said cryptically. And then she glanced around guardedly. "Is there somewhere else we could talk?"

Slowly absorbing the information, Nicole nodded. "Care to move your car down the hill?" she asked. "The barn is safe."

"The cowboy's not home tonight?" Langston ventured.

"I'm sure you've logged his comings and goings," Nicole said sharply. "He's like an alley cat. He's out carousing half the night."

Langston offered a faint grin. "Point taken," she conceded. And then she gestured toward her car. "Offer you a lift?"

Remaining silent, Nicole arched an eyebrow in question, causing Langston to shrug.

"It's gotta be better than traipsing back down that hill through the thicket," Langston asserted.

Unable to argue the Commander's point, Nicole moved around the back of the car, and opening the passenger side door, she climbed inside. Whatever was going on, it wasn't good. And she needed to gather all the intel she could to ensure the safety of her family, old… and new.

Canada Day! Friday, July 1, 2016… The Earp Homestead—6:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

As was always the case, at the end of yet another long, harrowing week, once again, a new day dawned, oblivious to the toils and the pains of yesterday. Arriving on the luminescent rays of the bright summer sun as they came bursting over the horizon, filtering through the sheer curtains of Waverly's bedroom—the sanctuary where she and Nicole grew ever closer, in every aspect of their relationship—this new day brought with it hope for an even brighter tomorrow.

The curtains rustled in the blithe morning breeze, and the air was filled with the scents of summertime, rousing Waverly from peaceful slumber. Snuggling in closer against Nicole's side, she breathed in deeply, soaking in the essence of the early summer morning… and always, always, of Nicole. And though their relationship was still new, she could no longer remember a morning when Nicole wasn't there, holding her as she slept, as well as when she woke. All the days, and weeks, and years before Nicole had somehow faded into a past she no longer needed to hold tightly in her grasp, leaving her to focus on the future—their future—the one they would build, together.

Nicole's skin was soft, her body, firm along the curvaceous valleys and smooth planes where Waverly's own flesh melded so perfectly with hers, neither of them knowing where one ended, and the other began. Nicole's touch was so tender—so unlike the harsh, rushed feel of Champ's rough hands pawing at her, taking what he wanted, and giving nothing in return. She shuddered at the intrusive thought, promptly discarding it, knowing that she would never allow another man, another person, to touch her ever again.

Only Nicole.

Always…

Returning to her thoughts of Nicole, she couldn't resist the call to touch her. Never had Waverly felt such an intense urge to lose herself in another person—not in her entire life. At first, it terrified her. Not that Nicole was a woman—that never bothered her in the least. But that she felt such a deep, penetrating need for her. And now, she welcomed it, unapologetically.

How could she not?

Lightly, she skimmed her fingertips along Nicole's cheek, and down onto her chest, smiling a bit roguishly when Nicole stirred beside her at the sensation of Waverly's warm breath tickling an already taut nipple. A flick of her tongue brought a feathery contact against the taut peak, and Waverly reveled in the soft groan and accompanying faint smile that flickered across Nicole's lips in appreciation.

"Happy first Canada Day, Babe," Waverly whispered enticingly against Nicole's ear. "I hope you're up for some serious fireworks."

Nicole's grin widened, as did her pupils, as she considered the implications of Waverly's comment. Fireworks, indeed. If last night was any indication of the spectacular performance Waverly could deliver, she'd gladly play with her unique brand of fireworks… all day long.

She wasn't certain what she'd been expecting the first time they made love, or even the fifteenth or beyond, for that matter. But what she found was that making love with Waverly Earp far surpassed anything she ever could have dreamed or imagined. Waverly had proven to be not the least bit shy about expressing what it was she wanted from Nicole, both in and out of bed. And though she still seemed a bit uncertain of herself at times, she had been just as enthusiastic about giving back whatever she received, in equal measure. And Nicole wanted her. Constantly. Unapologetically. A burning ache that smoldered deep within her belly, always momentarily sated by Waverly's exquisite touch, but never quite extinguished.

It was such a beautiful dance they shared, the effortless mutual give-and-take that flowed between them: where one waned, the other surged—and not just when it came to their lovemaking. No, it wasn't just the sex, though that was… beyond spectacular. They were the perfect pairing, in every imaginable way—like the finest chocolates and perfectly aged wine. They knew it without question. And so did the ones who mattered most in their lives. The depth of the emotional connection they found within their union was stronger than any bond either had ever known.

"Baby, I am up for your kind of fireworks, anytime, anywhere," Nicole practically growled. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate the holiday."

"Yeah?" Waverly purred, as she shifted on the bed. Gently nudging Nicole's thighs with her hand, she smiled when Nicole opened to her, and sliding her body atop Nicole's, slender hips settled between, drawing an appreciative groan from Nicole as Waverly pressed into her. "Well, your holiday is coming up in a couple of days, isn't it?" she hinted, referring to the Fourth of July.

Nicole grinned, the look in her eyes one of intrigue. "It is…" she readily acknowledged, wondering where Waverly was going with this.

Waverly arched an eyebrow. "Does that mean I can look forward to a sample of your kind of fireworks then?" Her open mouth making contact with Nicole's pulse point, she delighted in the thrumming of Nicole's heartbeat against her tongue. "You know… a sort of… 'You show me yours, and I'll show you mine' kind of thing?"

That grin turned roguish. "Absolutely," Nicole guaranteed. "But you're up first, Baby. Show me whatcha got."

The challenge in Nicole's tone reignited the smoldering embers that had lingered deep within Waverly's belly since the culmination of their breathtaking encounter the night previous, once again stoking them into a blazing inferno. Their gazes locked, Nicole's heartbeat quickened as Waverly hovered over her, the tips of those painfully tautened nipples lightly teasing her own. And the sheer power of combustion sparked an equally fierce response in the depths of Nicole's body, where the flickering flame of their shared desire never, ever dimmed.

A split-second later, Waverly's hands were tangled tightly in Nicole's hair, her hungry mouth crashing down, taking Nicole's in a fierce, penetrating kiss that shook Nicole to her core.

Breathless and wanting, Nicole grasped at Waverly's shoulders, her short nails scraping delicate skin, as she clung to her almost desperately. And then her fingers were clenched in those long chestnut tresses, as Nicole tilted her pelvis in a futile attempt to take control.

Unwilling to be placed into submission—at least not this time—Waverly tore her mouth away from Nicole's earning a grunt of protest in response. And then using the power of her upper body strength, she pinned Nicole to the mattress. "Uh-uh, Agent Haught. Not this time, you don't," she husked in playful reproof, the gleam in those coppery-green eyes sparkling triumphantly as Nicole surrendered to her. "You said you don't mind giving up control… once in a while."

Her arousal skyrocketing from the sheer exhilaration of being completely under Waverly's control, Nicole's pupils dilated as she grinned almost devilishly. "I don't," she growled, her tone low and enticing.

Waverly's breaths turned ragged as she contemplated the tacit invitation. "You sure this is okay?"

"Absolutely," Nicole answered with conviction, the wild expression in those darkened russet eyes not only conveying vehement consent to whatever was to come next, but actually daring Waverly to try her.

And once again rising to the challenge, Waverly did just exactly that.

---

Canada Day! Friday, July 1, 2016… The Earp Homestead—7:15 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time

An hour later, both of them breathless and momentarily sated, Nicole found herself cradled in the surprising strength of Waverly's arms, her cheek resting against the slope of an ample breast. Fireworks, indeed, she mused inwardly, as she reveled in the vivid memories of their encounter—the power of that strong, sinuous body moving against her own, the passion with which that insistent mouth and adventurous tongue explored her, ravaged her, possessed her, the masterful way Waverly had taken her with neither apprehension nor apology, commanding things from her body like no one ever had, as she willingly surrendered herself into the capable hands of the woman who loved her, body and soul.

"You… just rocked my entire universe, Waverly Earp," Nicole confessed on a ragged breath, synapses still firing, her body still trembling with the aftereffects of her powerful release, as she curled into Waverly's side, simply allowing herself to be held.

"Universe, huh?" Waverly smirked, sounding rather pleased with her own prowess. And then dark, hungry eyes flashed with promise. "Oh, just you wait, Baby. Next time, I'll rock your entire Cosmos."

Nicole grinned. "Soundin' awful sure of yourself there, aren't ya, Waves?" she teased. She loved that Waverly was so adventurous, so… uninhibited. And then her expression turned desirous. "Whatever's gotten into you this morning, I like it," she declared, her tone low and gravelly.

Waverly cocked an eyebrow. "Right now, the only thing I'm interested in getting inside me, is you," she intoned.

Breath quickening yet again, Nicole bit her bottom lip, the corners of her mouth curling upward around it. "Ya don't say," she husked, her eyes flashing with desire renewed.

A moment later, Waverly's mouth was on Nicole's again, ravaging, demanding with her tongue. "I can't get enough of you," she declared on a feral groan.

Taking control this time, effortlessly, Nicole flipped Waverly onto her back, topping her like a boss. Straddling those perfectly toned thighs, she grinned down at her, those dark russet eyes once again blazing with untamed desire. "Feelin's mutual," she growled. And then her mouth was on Waverly's again, and this time, it was her turn to explore, to ravage, to possess, pushing Waverly's body to the edge, over and over again, until finally, she was quaking in her arms. And then, falling boneless against the luscious curves of Waverly's body, Nicole released a deep, contented sigh, as she reveled in the sensation of Waverly's violent release still rippling all around her.

Neither of them knew how long they lingered there, with Nicole's body curled around Waverly's, her head once again resting against Waverly's breast. And neither did they care. Simply being with one another, adrift on the echoes of their sweet release, was the most breathtaking experience they'd ever known. As their breathing slowed, bringing with it a sense of sweet satisfaction, slowly, Waverly's fingertips caressed her, massaging the nape of her neck, her other hand skimming lightly along Nicole's upper back, as she reveled in the sensation of Nicole's weight against her body.

Absently, Nicole pressed her lips against Waverly's breast, her own fingertips playing along the ridges of those perfectly defined abs, as she basked in their connection, both physical and emotional. Waverly's body was a masterpiece; one that Nicole ached to study for as long as she had breath. Her heart was a treasure, that Nicole longed to nurture and protect, throughout eternity, and far, far beyond.

"Mm…" Nicole sighed contentedly, her eyes shuttering as she drew in the sweet scent of Waverly's lingering desire. Gathering it from its source, Nicole had coated those tantalizing breasts with it, taking special care not to neglect the nipples that strained, aching for her touch. And now, she reveled in her work, her tongue snaking for just one brief taste, before shifting enough to meet Waverly's contented gaze. "You're awfully quiet, Waves," she noticed aloud. "What's on your mind?"

A soft smile flickered across Waverly's mouth. Nicole knew her so very well. "Remember what you said about us the other night?" she queried. "About us being glass?"

"Yeah?" Nicole's tone conveyed the question.

"Well, I was thinking… I don't really agree," she challenged with quiet certainty. "Not when we're together anyway."

"No?" Now Nicole was curious.

"No," Waverly reiterated. "You know what we are, Nicole?" she asked rhetorically. "We're graphene."

"We're what?" Nicole's face adopted a confused expression, as she propped up on one elbow, studying Waverly's face.

"Graphene," Waverly repeated, as her fingertips played in Nicole's soft auburn hair. "It's the strongest material known to man—a million times thinner than paper, and two hundred times stronger than steel. That's us, when we're together," she said with quiet certainty. "Hell, we've already both survived being shot. I survived nearly having my hand chopped off during that cluster of a recon mission with Lucado…"

Christ, what a mess that would've made of their sex life! Waverly thought, but didn't voice. Though, there were other ways, as Nicole had been so skillful and generous in reminding her.

She literally blushed at the memory, and had to pause to gather her composure. "And we've shared the worst of ourselves by revealing our family secrets," she continued, smiling into those penetrating eyes that searched the depths of her soul. "So whatever this life has in store for us, I say bring it on, 'cause you and I, Nicole, we're indestructible."

"God, how I love you, Waverly Earp," Nicole whispered through tears that sprang anew as her heart soaked in Waverly's declaration. Despite the uncertainties that lay ahead, life couldn't possibly get any better than this.

Lifting her head from the pillow, Waverly feathered a kiss across Nicole's mouth. "And I love you, Agent Haught," she whispered, unabashed pride reflecting in her tone.

The kiss was far too fleeting to satisfy Nicole's boundless need for her. Shifting upward, she slipped her hand into the thick curtain of chestnut waves at the base of Waverly's neck, and gathering her close, she kissed her thoroughly. "Know what else I love?"

"What?" Waverly purred, her body trembling again with the hum of renewed arousal. Nicole's kisses had a way of doing that to her, and she doubted that would ever end.

"I love that my girlfriend is geeky enough to know about Graphene," Nicole grinned, the stirring she'd caused in Waverly's body not having been lost on her.

"So you're attracted to my intelligence, eh?" Waverly teased.

"Among other things," Nicole answered with a telling smirk.

"Oh, yeah?" Waverly intoned. "And what 'other things' would that be?"

Searching those mischievous green eyes, Nicole brushed her fingertips across Waverly's cheek. "Your courage…" she answered reflectively. "And your strength… And the way you always strive to do what's right," she revealed. And then she leaned down, kissing her again. "But what I love most about you, is your sweet, beautiful heart," she whispered.

A faint smile rippled across Waverly's lips as she met Nicole's gaze again. "Feels like you're reading my mind," she said, "because… I love all those same things about you."

Nicole smiled softly. "We are so perfectly suited to one another," she quietly declared.

Green eyes twinkled as Waverly smiled. "Yes, my sweet, beautiful love," she whispered, her fingers tightening in Nicole's hair as she kissed her again. "Yes, we are."

Blushing at the compliment, Nicole went willingly to her, as Waverly gathered her close again. And curling the full length of her body around Waverly's small frame, she rested her cheek against the softness of a breast once again, content to be in the arms of this woman who loved her so completely, who had broken the shackles of her darkness, freeing her from the burden of her past—the woman who now anchored her, holding her body so securely, keeping her heart and soul ever captive, without need of chains.

TBC in Chapter 13: Secrets and Sacrifice…